Review: Steve Sobs “Pretty”

01 Aug 2013 — Andi Wilson

Lucid state, dreams, memories. Feeling lost, feeling found. Trickles down your spine and moments of realization. In and out of neverending nostalgia. These are all characteristics that Pretty endures.  

I recently spoke with Brooklyn musician Erik Littmann about his current project, Steve Sobs. Intrigued by his new album and witnessing the act's new live set, I was curious to see what the stimulus was behind his music. The writing process began under his former moniker, Phantom Posse (or Power), in the winter of 2012 after a bad breakup. We've all been there right? This resulted in him releasing FUCK. and Forever Underground . As of late, the Posse ended with Niche. Almost immediately after, Pretty was released with the concept regarding rooted feelings of detachment and a bleak interpretation of arbritary selection. We spoke about how depression is so prevelant in music and art. Sadness may not always lead to innovation, but you might create something beautiful that effects the life of another invdividual. From the words of Littmann, "Pretty is a dynamic aesthetic idea, dependent on culture, individual experiences, etc. Aesthetics change with time...pretty now, maybe ugly eventually...or just not important."  

Each track on the album repurposes one sample from a song that's been important to Littmann (Yo La Tengo, Esbjorn Svensson Trio, and more), and features the vocals of Nadia Hulett on "Impulse" and "Satisfaction". We also have confirmation that there will be a companion release in the near future with more acoustic elements.  

Stream, download, or purchase Pretty for your own listening pleasures below.