Michigan quartet Strawberry Lake introduce their forthcoming debut album, "Forever," with "Other Spaces," a spirited indie rock single that finds a surprising amount of pleasure in romantic frustration. There is something wonderfully human about the way the band approaches the subject. Martin Fletcher sings about a relationship caught in recurring arguments, loneliness, and the desire to reconnect, while the lively guitar playing and driving rhythm lend the music an almost carefree quality.
The guitar playing is particularly appealing, with wavering, wah-soaked notes giving way to rougher, more insistent strumming. Fletcher's gravelly vocals bring a lived-in quality to the melody, and the whole performance has that slightly unruly character associated with great college rock. Beneath the lively arrangement, however, lies an uncomfortable truth about relationships: remembering someone's presence can sometimes be easier than finding your way back to them. The band's ability to carry that sadness through such spirited playing gives "Other Spaces" much of its charm.
Strawberry Lake themselves have an unusual beginning. Comprising two father-and-son pairs, the group emerged from an idea conceived by Gage Pulford, the late son of drummer Jim Pulford, who had hoped to bring these musicians together. What followed has become a creative partnership with a distinct musical personality. There's real chemistry in the way these four musicians play, particularly in the freedom they give the guitars to wander without losing the song's momentum. That slightly unpredictable movement is among the single's greatest pleasures, giving "Other Spaces" a character that feels spontaneous and entirely their own.
Their first album, "Forever," is expected in early 2027.
