Ez Luscombe
The emo-pop and math rock influenced ParkWalker formed in 2018 and since then, have strongly rooted themselves into the diverse European DIY scene, especially in their home country of Germany. Influenced by acts such as American Football, The Appleseed Cast, and Rainer Maria, their long-awaited second album The Extra Mile may not be as dynamic or musically complex as some of their aforementioned contemporaries, but nevertheless still feels like a crisp winter walk in the park amongst the undeniable hum of city living.
Although the Stuttgart quartet clearly wear their influences on their sleeves, the clean and modern production courtesy of Christian Bethge (Messer) modernises a classic and well-loved sound through sheer warmth, technical precision, and subtle feelings of quiet yearning without ever coming across as melodramatic. Self-described as a slow stroll through sound and stillness, ParkWalker definitely deliver on that front by blending familiarly minimalistic soundscapes with lyrics that are heavily influenced by the quiet beauty of the natural world.
Opening track and lead single ‘Open Sea’ combines minimalist guitar patterns with expertly crafted lyrics that are both metaphorical and introspective as they discuss the aftermath of a personal loss, and the subtle drumming combined with the female backing vocals and lush pianos give the track a delicate level of depth. The drumming throughout all nine of the tracks on The Extra Mile is also undeniably laid back whilst still retaining dynamic sensibilities that offset the clean guitars and complex riffs and successfully highlights the lyrical themes throughout the album that are clearly extremely personal to all four members of the group.
From the emotional lyrical themes on ‘PourLaVie’ to the acoustic ballad and album closer ‘Truly’, ParkWalker have succeeded yet again at crafting an easygoing listen that’s reflective, discreetly emotional and intimate. With upcoming shows in Berlin and Halle alongside local heroes Utopia Union and Wencke Winters, you won’t want to miss catching a show if you’re in the area.
Is The Extra Mile the most experimental and exciting thing that you will listen to this year? Probably not. But that being said, it’s a perfect listen for the darker half of the year and pairs well with a hot cup of herbal tea, a good book, and a crisp winter walk.