Premiere: Zakoor shares his new single “The Beauty Part”
Premiere: Zakoor shares his new single “The Beauty Part”
New 33 rpm Cycle of life Coming May 6
March 25, 2022
Austin-based indie rock duo Zakoor is the latest project from singer/songwriter John Zakoor and drummer Bryan O’Flynn. Although he only formed in the first months of the pandemic, Zakoor quickly wrote and released two consecutive EPs in 2020, Aand Remove your vest. These early EPs played well-crafted homages to 80s pop and 90s grunge, infused with a healthy dose of nostalgic modern-day existentialism.
Last month, the duo announced their next full album, Cycle of life, mixed and produced by Paul Kolderie (Surfer Rosa by Pixie, The Bends by Radiohead, Live Through This by Hole). Along with the announcement, they also shared the disc’s title track. Today the band is back with another new single, “The Beauty Part”, premiering with Under the Radar.
The band’s latest single shoots their sound in a glistening sunshine-laden direction, reminiscent of the hot highs of ’90s indie jangle pop. Kolderie’s ears, the track has the feel of kaleidoscope summer escapist joy.
Yet this warm instrument stands in stark contrast to the dark, existential lyrics. Zakoor struggles with feeling lost and unable to connect to others around him, as time continues to pass through 一”Holes in my mind / Swimming in the darkest waters / There’s no no time and everyone gets old.” As Zakoor himself describes, “The Beauty Part attempts to capture the dichotomous feeling of having a lot of love to give while being unable to meaningfully connect with the world and everyone in it.”
Yet it’s this balance between beauty and darkness that makes “The Beauty Part” so special. The back and forth of light and dark creates an irresistible melancholic indie pop delight. Check out the song below. Cycle of life releases everywhere on May 6.