Michigan-based indie band The Erly is set to release their third album on Friday, November 3rd. The 11-track record titled Culture Fever features several genres, including jazz, rock, disco, and soul. The four-piece band has been working on this project since the beginning of 2022 and is excited to have it out in the world.
Culture Fever expands on The Erly's usual style to include influences from jazz-rock, disco, soul, roots-rock, and adult contemporary genres. The LP has a distinctly vintage sound with a clear 1970s influence. During production, the entire album was run through an analog tape machine before mastering to give each track a warmer feel. Recording the album took the entire year of 2022 and meticulous crafting. Culture Fever was produced and recorded at Dr. Richard's Audio in Valparaiso, Indiana, under the watchful eye of producer Nick Rapley. Known for his work with Bartees Strange and Lizzie No, Rapley helped The Erly go beyond the usual confines of the four-piece band. Harris Karlin and Brian Moore were brought in to arrange strings and horns, adding depth and dimension to the album. The band collaborated with horn and string players from eight different cities to achieve the unique sound they were looking for. "We took our time to craft songs that will impact the listener sonically, as well as deliver an emotional punch lyrically," explained the musicians.
The band explores universal themes like female empowerment, mental health struggles, and identity on the album through lyrics and instrumentation. Flame the Main and Faces in the Attic were written about feelings of resentment, avoidance, and addiction. Take it As it Goes and Tracing Circles explore the yearning for something more in everyday life. On Paralyzed and In My Mind, the band plays with a classic 1970s disco sound, bringing soul and culture into the record. Smooth rhythms and harmonies bring everything together on The Right Way and Red Roof Inn to tug at the heartstrings. The Right Way was written spontaneously in the recording studio during downtime, a reflection of The Erly's organic, collaborative music creation process.
Hailing from Niles, Michigan, The Erly's four members each play a different instrument, and all contribute to the band's vocals. Drummer Fran Gleason and Bassist Collin Mattiford were a duo before deciding to take on two new members, guitarist Trevor McDonald and keyboardist Alyssa Serviss. The four have been playing together since 2018 and have released two full-length projects, Culture Fever being their third LP. Singles Paralyzed and Flame the Main have already been released and are available to stream on all major streaming platforms. A music video for Flame the Main is also available to view on The Erly's YouTube page.
The release of Culture Fever marks the beginning of a new era for the band. Their production and sound changed significantly to evoke the vintage flair they wanted for the album. This sets the group apart and primes the album to be received by new audiences. Culture Fever drops on Friday, November 3rd, on all major streaming platforms—you won't want to miss it.
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