Paper Castles Credit: Courtesy of Kayhl Cooper
Burlington slacker rockers Paper Castles just released their first new material since 2013’s Vague Era. “First Blush,” the debut single from the quartet’s upcoming third album, Acceptionalism,;comes with an accompanying music video courtesy of Noise Ordinance‘s Kayhl Cooper.

While keeping with the band’s affable, laid-back rock vibe, slap-back reverb and double-tracked vocals make the new single feel a bit punchier than the languid strains of past records — especially 2011’s Bleating Heart, Paper Castles’ lo-fi debut. The group recruited sonic wizard Ryan Power for recording duties, as well as Rough Francis‘ Urian Hackney for mixing and mastering.

In the video, front man and songwriter Paddy Reagan sings with visceral intimacy, inviting us into his home and addressing us with plenty of direct eye contact. One by one, the band’s other members, Liz Stafford (also of Julia Caesar), Wren Kitz and Brennan Mangan join Reagan for an adorably humble galley kitchen performance.

Acceptionalism is out on April 13. Visit papercastles.bandcamp.com for more information.

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Jordan Adams joined Seven Days as music editor in 2016. In 2021, he became an arts and culture staff writer. He's won awards from the Vermont Press Association and the New England Newspaper and Press Association. In 2022, he became a freelance contributor.