REVIEW: Radio DDR – The Sharp Pins

In late March, Radio DDR, the second studio album by Kai Slater, was newly re-released under the moniker Sharp Pins. Originally recorded in the spring of last year, the record was released on cassette but is now seeing a full release on LP and streaming (with an additional 3 tracks). Far different from Slater’s work in art-punk group Lifeguard, his solo work takes on a more lo-fi pop-rock sound.

I particularly enjoyed the energy and liveliness of the fourth track, “If I Was Ever Lonely.” This track perfectly encapsulates that 1960’s British invasion rock that flavors the instrumentals and aesthetics of this record. The guitar tones feel incredibly fuzzy and warm here and, when combined with the brilliant percussion, make for an incredibly fun listen. I also loved the romantic themes playing out on this track. They’re not quite as on-the-nose as in tracks like “Lorelei” but they communicate that feeling of love-stricken desperation so well. This track has a ton of character and is super fun which makes it an easy favorite of mine.

Another favorite of mine is the proceeding track, “Circle all the Dots.” I really enjoy how Slater communicates melancholy through his music and this track does so exceedingly well. Slater describes a fading romance in this track through his poignant lyricism and riffs that intensify during the vulnerable choruses. I really enjoyed how Slater characterizes the growing schism in the relationship as a physical gap between them in the choruses, at one point even questioning if he actually wants to be with this person (“Do you want her [o]r are you dreaming?”). I highly recommend this track to any melancholia fans.

The next track, “Sycophant,” is another phenomenal showcase of Slater’s unique melancholic sound. Unlike other tracks, this one is a somber acoustic cut with a lone guitar backing Slater’s soft vocals. This track feels incredibly vulnerable recounting the emotional damage for both individuals in a failed relationship. I loved the lyric “I’m the only one that knows you now” that closes out the second verse in reference to the sycophant. This last line felt so incredibly poignant. I found the acoustic aesthetic of this track does very well to draw your attention to the incredible lyrics and vocal performance. If you listen to no other track on this record, I’d recommend this one.

Another personal favorite of mine is “I Can’t Stop.” I really enjoyed the conflicting emotions and yearning that Slater communicates here. There’s an interesting shift from the first chorus where he regrets thinking of this person; to bearing to think about them in the second; then being completely unable to stop thinking about them in the outro. As with many other tracks, Slater uses that familiar fuzzy guitar tone giving the track a nostalgic feeling. Overall, I found this track was just a fun listen with a unique mini narrative that underpins it.

Finally, I found the closing track “With A Girl Like Mine” to be quite enjoyable. This one is a bit on the softer side with the familiar guitar aesthetic but without percussion giving it an almost folksy sound. I really enjoyed the vocal performance here, especially the choruses, which sounded wonderful. The whole track felt reminiscent sonically of “A Hard Day’s Night” but with that sweet melancholy that Slater has delivered previously. I think this is a fantastic track to close out the project.

               From start to finish this project is incredibly fun with its unique and nostalgic sound. Fans of old-school rock and the soft ballads of groups like the Beatles will find this project very familiar with quite a bit of character. I absolutely loved Slater’s playstyle and production on this record. The warm guitar fuzz and soft percussion made each track sound warm and pleasant. I found the melancholic acoustic cuts interspersed throughout the record to be incredibly well written both compositionally and lyrically. Slater’s lyrics felt incredibly poignant yet subtle, letting the listener fill in the gaps with their own experiences. By far my favorite track on the record was “Sycophant” with its beautiful acoustic instrumentation and soft heartbreak-tinged vocals. My least favorite track was “Lorelei” as it felt very on-the-nose and uninteresting lyrically, but to say this track takes away from the record would be inaccurate. This record was my first introduction to Slater’s work and to say that I’m impressed would be a great understatement. If you’re in the market for a soft rock/pop record, this record is a perfect candidate with a ton of personality.