To release an album called Summer Feeling on the cusp of winter might appear like some kind of cruel joke. For The Eversons to do so, however, makes perfect sense. Not only is it a reference to Jonathan Richman, a songwriter they have clearly paid a lot of attention to, it is also exactly what you think; a joke. Because Summer Feeling may be straightforward guitar pop on the outside, but at its core lays darkly humorous introspection preoccupied with all the things an early twenty-something mind should be; whether it’s anxiety and uncertainty or sincerity and hopefulness.
It gives the album some depth without getting close to seriousness and certainly makes the pill of 90’s indie revivalism easier to swallow. “What’s gonna happen when my parents die? Am I gonna feel better?” Mark Turner sings on opening track ‘Could it Ever Get Better?’ before wondering if losing his mind is the key. Meanwhile, the band reminds him “you’ll never feel better” as a guitar riff that lands somewhere between Pavement and Garageland carries the song to its conclusion after a brisk three minutes.
Summer Feeling is peppered with self-deprecating couplets and proudly worn influences which are a lot of fun to listen to. Whether it’s Turner being a little too affectionate towards his girlfriend on ‘Creepy’ or co-lead vocalist Chris Young remembering that time he tried to move overseas, but it didn’t quite work out how he’d planned. It’s nice that these are relatable experiences that just happen to be extremely catchy.
That’s not to say that The Everson’s can’t be flippant. ‘Kick Him Out’ tells of someone trying to get rid of their boyfriend before it all goes terribly wrong and he ends up buried in the back yard. ‘Going Back To Work’ does little more than relate how unfathomably shit it can be to have to give in to reality after a holiday. They’re low stakes when compared with the likes of ‘Marriage’ which deals with the assumption that one day you’ll find someone to spend the rest of your life with before doubt sets in. This song in particular makes nice use of the band harmonies, which perfectly juxtapose the refrain “so sad and lonely/you’ll never get married.”
Interestingly, the two final tracks on Summer Feeling are the albums slowest. It might have been nicer to hear them more strategically placed throughout, as the earlier you pick up the formula of the album, the more in danger it is of becoming tired. However almost everything on Summer Feeling flies by on charm and a perfectly realised hook. As an album it really delivers and as a debut album it’s pretty damn astonishing, largely due to the identity The Eversons have carved out for themselves as great songwriters with a sense of humour.
