Coconut Records
Nighttiming
Darling: [adjective] - beloved; pretty; charming.
Rushmore alum and overall Wes Anderson favorite Jason Schwartzman's sophomore musical endeavor is just that: darling. Not unlike something off a Wes Anderson soundtrack itself, Nighttiming is twelve tracks of warm weather melodies perfect for driving down a coastal highway or lounging languidly on a blanket in the early spring sun. His compositions are unpretentious, as are the sweetly lingering vocal contributions of his high profile collaborators like Zooey Deschanel and Kirsten Dunst. The standout track is by far "West Coast," with its 70s adult contemporary piano and far out synthesizers, over which Jason sings in his John Lennon-esque voice with nearly perfect pop precision. My personal favorite is track number one, "This Old Machine," a delicate ditty on a haunting piano with the charmingly amateur lilts of Kirsten Dunst accompanying Schwartzman in harmony. Title track, "Nighttiming," displays remnants of cool disco and French pop, and is the ideal tune for getting dressed to go out on a Friday night whilst sipping a cocktail and dancing in front of your bedroom mirror.
Unlike Schwartzman's previous foray into popular music, Phantom Planet (of which he was drummer and songwriter before leaving to focus on acting full time), Coconut Records exudes honesty and a freshness that is difficult to criticize. Even if the vintage styling and quirky vocals aren't your thing, you can appreciate the sheer energy Schwartzman put into crafting each and every one of these songs. If you purchase the album in hard copy form from Young Baby records, you will find twelve extra tracks waiting for you at the end of the record. Also enclosed with your CD will be a personal gift from Jason, which changes every now and then but is always a surprise. See? Unpretentious and darling. Trust me. – Aubrey Bramble
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