Key Tracks: “Something’s Coming” “The Moon” 

What better time to review an album from Summer Colds than the dead of winter? With multiple feet of snow still on the ground here in Boston, I’ve immersed myself into this subtle, pleasant sophomore album from Summer Colds that was released last Halloween. Though it may only be the second album under the Summer Colds moniker, Nic McNamara has been in the industry for a long while. The Oregon-by-way-of-Surrey-by-way-of-Johannesburg musician grew up with a studio producer father who worked alongside legendary Robert “Mutt” Lange. This evolved naturally into a love of music, and McNamara spent the early 2010’s releasing folk rock albums under the name Black Bears Fire. But a desire for a harder edge comes with a new name, and the power-pop project Summer Colds was born. 

The fact that Missing Out was born because COVID canceled McNamara’s plans to tour his first Summer Colds album, Here Comes Nothing, is only fitting for the latter album’s melancholic vibe. It’s a perfect title, too, since McNamara was denied the chance to take a victory lap tour. The record is a product of the downtime, and the frustration at the state of the delayed world is palpable throughout. While the album’s strength is patient songwriting, there is a lot of pent-up annoyance present, which helps set the tone and separate it from other glitzy power-pop acts.

To be honest, power-pop is not a genre that I am predisposed to enjoying. There are plenty of power-pop bands I do enjoy, but they always need to have something enticing. Missing Out isn’t afraid to stretch into punk or indie territory. Some of the songs here edge into speedier territory, like “Shakeout,” which is is more power- than -pop, and the rollicking opener “Something’s Coming.” There is a distinct indie rock vibe throughout too, more present on the patient songs like “Say It Back” and “If You Know.” Even though I am personally always all in on bangers, these tracks are key to the subtlety. While all eight songs here are centered on crunchy guitar and sound at least punk-adjacent, there is a lot maturity present. The tunes are largely midtempo and feel more comfortable focusing on melodies and lyrical content than they do resting on pure energy. 

There is another checked box here that is often ignored by bands, especially more modern bands. That’s vocal melodies. Setting aside the post-punk trend of talking bands (Cheekface, Dry Cleaning, etc), far too often do singers not put enough emphasis on vocal harmonies. It’s part of why I’m one of the biggest Dinosaur Jr. fans. Say what you will about J. Mascis’s vocals, he’s always got a new rhythm. What I find fascinating about this album is that many of the song’s choruses see McNamara singing a catchy vocal rhythm over a singular power chord wall. It’s a fun dynamic and makes for a unique listen. It isn’t because of technical inability; “All Time High” has a great guitar lick after the chorus, and “Dear Life” benefits from a musical bridge and comeback at the end of the song. Instead it sounds like something bright bursting through the cracks. Late album standout “The Moon” also puts more focus on the guitar, with a heavier and louder feel than any other track. It is an interesting little tactic that gives the album more texture and some earnestness. 

Missing Out is an album that hides a lot under a blanket of guitar. On the surface, it’s standard power-pop/indie rock. But the dense guitar, vocal rhythms, melancholic lyrics and wavering genre influence make for a pretty unique listen. Summer Colds are a solid listen for a day where it’s, well, cold. 

Missing Out by Summer Colds