Searching for Swiftumz

Styling on the hilly streets of SF with Swiftumz; photographed by David Armstrong.

Through the cycles of scenes that have transpired across the Bay Area for over the past few decades, few artists have had the kind of titanic influence over everyone the way Swiftumz has. Creatives and fans alike have name checked Christopher McVicker as one of San Francisco's most beguiling and mercurial stylistic shapeshifters. Announcing the new album Simply the Best for Empty Cellar Records, McVicker has enlisted a top tier roster of fellow icons for the occasion from The Aislers Set, The Bananas, Dirty Ghosts, Kelley Stoltz to name just a few of the shining lights that grace this fascinating new full-length. Just as semantics forever fall short to capture the prismatic pop cult of Chris, Simply the Best boasts a bouquet of musical botanicals that one would expect to hear while digging through crates at the Amoeba Records in the Upper Haight on a foggy afternoon in the spring.

The title track commands attention like a throwback, fist pumping, plod popper from the golden days of Glaswegian indie grit. "Unconditional" exudes Born to Run grandeur with the Slumberland catalogue of cool, "Never Impress" rocks with a C86 sincerity, as "Almost Through" echoes Stax/Ardent iconography of your favorite obscure and under appreciated underdogs. "For Bucher" slowly burns with a reverent grace, as the caffeinated "Falling Down" illustrates honesty through a frenzy of human follies, chronicling the rises and falls of life on the expressive "Fall Apart", the Dadaist rhythms of "Demoralized", to the gentle show stopping waltz "Finally Through" that brings it all back home.

Presenting the album track "Second Take" with visuals from Anthony Marchitiello, Swiftumz presents a cornucopia of wholesome vibes and a saucerful of sincerity. Spending time with friends and his fuzzy buddy, Chris Delivers a bag of premium flower, plays a tennis ball game of fetch, enjoys some mellow patio leisure and drives by the Chase Center in Mission Bay. "Second Take" warmly sways like a letter to a loved one that wears its heart firmly attached the sleeve, illustrating vulnerabilities, ranges of emotions and perspectives on passages from departures, arrivals and opportunities missed. The song is about second chapters, third acts, second chances, life's choices and raises the curtain for a whole new generation to witness the ineffable and incredible universes of Swiftumz.

Returning to Week in Pop, we proudly present:

Current items of inspirations by Swiftumz

Kylie Minogue

Realized a couple weeks ago I forgot to listen to her most recent album. It's bliss. There's a couple bangers and I'm not mad at any of the other tracks. Her previous album was great also. She's been going for 35 years staying relevant, trying new things, working with new people.

Mega_Lo, Re-Semenation Mix Compilation

One of the best DJ's around. He posted a new mix recently and it is excellent. Incredible song selection and mixing skills. Packs  A LOT into 45 minutes. He hasn't uploaded anything for quite some time so I was very excited to throw this on.

Rebecca and Fiona

I used to listen to their album Beauty is Pain a TON when it came out. I remembered it recently and revisited them. I realized they have continued to release music and also have a radio show archived. Bratty, vibey, Swedish dance pop with bubblegum elements. I don't really know much about this group except they are from Sweden, have a dark sense of humor, and a lot of attitude.

The new Swiftumz album Simply the Best will be available soon via Empty Cellar Records.