Video Age : Away From The Castle

New Orleans’ Video Age began in 2016 with their debut Living Alone. The band’s core of Ray Micarelli and Ross Farbe locked into a certain soft rock aesthetic over their previous releases, which besides Living Alone includes 2018s Pop Therapy and 2020’s Pleasure Line. Their songs lock into sweet harmonies, 80s-tinged synths, and an endearingly cheesiness that you either fall for or repel from.

The band’s name, Video Age, is a striking hint into the trip you’re about to take when hitting play. Their songs echo back to a time in the neon decade when middle-aged dudes with perfect facial hair and feathered hair had big hits on the radio. The perfect melding of songwriter fare and producer-driven songs where artists like Michael McDonald, Toto, Dwight Twilley and Andrew Gold ruled the airwaves.

Away From The Castle is Video Age’s new album and Micarelli and Farbe have taken the sound into a more power pop direction. There’s still plenty of synth-driven radio fun, but there’s also touches of artists like Jon Brion, Mac Demarco, and Andy Shauf that are more apparent this time around.

Away From The Castle sounds like the kind of album that could be the breakthrough record for Video Age. There’s still the neon glow here, but the 80s synths are less apparent here, being replaced with piano, acoustic guitar, and beautifully ornate vocal harmonies. Something like “In The Breaks” cannot be found on the band’s previous work. There’s an almost post-Smile vibe to this song; chamber pop with touches of melancholy folk that shows a totally different side to the band. Title track “Away From The Castle” has and Elephant 6 sound, touches of early Of Montreal come thru on this driving pop rock track.

Elsewhere “Better Than Ever” gives us that early 80s pop rock vibe, with some wonky Ariel Pink-meets-Mac Demarco for a post-party breakfast buffet sound. “Anything For You” is a wonderfully low key piano song, while album closer “Golden Sun” might be the highlight here. A sublime, melancholy power pop track that touches on the brilliance of Fountains of Wayne and Ben Kweller.

Away From The Castle is the kind of album you can play on repeat. A perfect pop rock album from start to finish. Video Age has made one of this year’s best guitar pop albums.