Baltimore’s Outer Spaces will release their debut full-length LP, A Shedding Snake, on May 27 via Don Giovanni Records. This latest effort follows the band’s Singles Going Home Alone 7” series via Matador Records and Garbage Beach EP via Salinas Records in 2014. Frontwoman Cara Beth Satalino whose somber, solitary songwriter aesthetic is informed by her tenure playing in rough-around-the-edges power trio Witches, is joined by Rob Dowler previously of Tides + Nuclear Power Pants and multi-instrumentalist Chester Gwazda who had previously produced Satalino’s solo recordings, as well as albums by Future Islands, Cloud Nothings and Dan Deacon.
The production, helmed by Gwazda, is crisp and lush, opening up for big, melody driven choruses book-ended by sometimes dark and dirgy verses. But what shines through strongest is Satalino’s songwriting. “I Saw You” is a lush, catchy folk-pop song that rings true to the conflict of the desire for acceptance in a new place, while not leaving aspects of your true self behind. A lyrically biting love song gone wrong, “Words,” is set to brightly strummed guitar and poetic melody. The composition of bouncing keys, layered vocal harmonies and gritty guitar on “Eternally Fifteen” are simultaneously soothing and powerful.
Like a snake sheds its skin to grow and move forward, so has Satalino as a songwriter and performer. By taking the dynamic experiences she’s had musically, and teaming with versatile and capable collaborators, Satalino has hit a stride. Influenced by Murmur-era Michael Stipe and Peter Buck, Satalino bridges the gap from what’s in her rear view to her present. “Moving to a new place is a chance for a clean slate in a way, and I think that the songs on this record reflect that feeling,” she says. “It’s a record about moving on, moving past, moving forward, and moving toward.”
