motel void

Washer Dryer consists of the duo Karen and Alex, who, after spending some time in NYC (the album artwork is a clay replica of their NYC apartment, which they turned into a real-life fish tank…), are now based in Florida. Together, they sing, write songs, record and perform. Washer Dryer is rooted in close collaboration that goes beyond musical boundaries— Karen and Alex are married and raising their child together.

The first track of their new EP Washer, Not Like Yesterday, bursts with energy, carrying an almost post-punk instrumental drive. The electric guitars come alive after the first verse, building toward a catchy chorus and an epic finale. It’s a track that must be brilliant live, though on this EP, I find myself leaning more toward the softer moments.

The second track of this EP, City Is an Animal, is the standout hit of the record for me. The interplay of vocals immediately reminds me of one of my favorite collaborative projects – Kurt Vile and Courtney Barnett. This dual lead vocal approach is one of the EP’s greatest strengths. Like Baby Baby Baby (the third song of this EP, with a great, anthemic chorus), City is an Animal is steeped in that same gentle melancholy, yet it feels so full of life.

These two tracks instantly awaken a feeling in me that only my favorite feel-good indie bands like Wilco, The Shins and The Decemberists can. It’s not exactly that their music is cheerful; rather, it carries a strong melancholy, but it’s the kind of sadness that is comforting (like listening to Depreston by Courtney Barnett…)

Lyrically, the EP is rich in natural imagery and everyday observations, evoking vivid pictures in my mind – scenes that make me want to get out, take a road trip, go for a walk, escape the city for a while.

I also have to mention the production—full, polished, and crafted down to the last detail. Everything feels intentional, yet effortless.

The fourth track of this record, Undertow, is a hidden gem. At just two minutes long, it begins with a shoegaze-like haze before shifting into an indie-pop sensibility, carried by delicate yet captivating vocals. It’s an unexpected combination, but it works beautifully. That softer side returns with the last track Oblivion, a song that instantly brings to mind Angus & Julia Stone – intimate, dreamy, and evocative.

Although I’m currently diving deeper into the experimental side of music, this EP takes me back to my roots as a listener, reminding me of the sounds that first shaped my taste. I think there can never be too much high-quality indie music – when done right, it has a charm that continues to resonate, no matter how much my preferences evolve.

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