Travis Bretzer - Waxing Romantic

Travis Bretzer is all loved-up. The awkward 25-year-old slacker from Edmonton, Canada has delivered lo-fi pop, influenced by his trials and tribulations with romance, since the release of his first EP, last year’s ‘Making Love’. The songwriter has now prepared his first LP, moving recording from his bedroom to the studio, yet still inspired by his romantic escapades.

With Jorge Albrecht (friend and collaborator of Ariel Pink) behind the desk and the inclusion of members of Haunted Graffiti in the backing band, ‘Waxing Romantic’ sees Bretzer replace his familiar lo-fi aesthetic with a slick, pop sensibility that brings much-deserved attention to the song-writing, each track a stand-out single that’s inspired from crate digging for his parents’ 70s pop records.Bretzer’s fondness for hazy guitar chords remains throughout, moulding suitably with the inclusion of prominent pop-sonics. Lead single ‘Promises’ forges a sultry mix of soft synth and tropical guitar, ‘Lonely Heart’ succeeds with a power-pop lead hook that Rik Ocasek would be proud of and the honey-drops of 80s electronics that envelope ‘Lady Red’ make for a surprising approach, yet when considering the artists’ songwriting, makes for complete understanding.