I’ve covered Swedish indie pop band The Radio Dept. a few times already, and that coverage is going to continue for a bit as I still have a number of their releases in my collection. This time, I’m taking a look at their 7” single from 2020 for “You’re Lookin’ at My Guy” backed with “Could You Be the One.”
Limited to just 500 copies and released on the band’s own label Just So!, this one sold out pretty quickly. We’ll take a look at it in a second, but first, let’s talk about the two songs within.
“You’re Lookin’ At My Guy” is the A-Side and draws upon the band’s history of pumping out dreamy, hazy soundscapes — namely what we got from them in the early days, best likened to their 2003 LP Lesser Matters.
As you can tell by the title, the song depicts the story of a jealous lover who isn’t too happy that someone is flirting with their partner. However, the vocals are somewhat subdued and almost dispassionate, creating a sense of detachment that underscores the song’s somewhat melancholy tone. As with many of those early tracks, the instrumentation is minimalistic, with the focus on the interplay between the guitar, bass, and drums. The use of reverb and delay effects further adds to the song’s dreamlike atmosphere, creating a sense of distance and nostalgia.
These are things I absolutely LOVED about Lesser Matters.
Flip it over and there’s “Could You Be the One.” This one’s a little more upbeat with a catchy melody and layered instrumentation including jangly guitars, synthesizers, and chill drums.
Lyrically, as you’d expect, the song explores themes of uncertainty and hesitation in relationships. The lyrics are delivered with a mix of optimism and skepticism, creating a sense of emotional complexity.
Compared to the A-side, the production here seems more polished and sleek, with a focus on creating a dynamic and engaging audible experience. The use of electronic elements and carefully crafted arrangements adds layers to the song.
The single is a testament to the band’s versatility, presenting two tracks that could have found welcome homes on Lesser Matters and Pet Grief respectively.
Like I mentioned previously, this one is sold out and was limited to begin with. That said, you’ll be lucky to land a copy for less than $50 US after shipping and tax.
Here’s a video of my 7-inch review: