The first EP from Alexander and The Great Ones feels like a love letter to the past. Super Turbo finds itself sonically rooted in classic rock and roll, but frontman Alexander MacNeil takes his time to add his own modern sentiments to the sound.
The EP has a laid back vibe . MacNeil’s voice is mellow and carefree, even when he’s singing his heart out – something he tends to do often. He doesn’t take himself too seriously when it comes to the sound, and it works in his favour. As a result, it really just sounds like we’re listening to seven songs of MacNeil having the time of his life.
“2 Yung 2 Be In <3” sounds like something right out of a 50’s sock hop, with MacNeil’s low croon and melodramatic pleading to Cupid. Out of all the songs on the album, the form and content are the most closely synched here. It’s a callback not only in sound, but also in the simplicity of the chorus. The inspiration is clearly intentional – “A Love Letter to Alan Smithee” boldly declares MacNeil’s appreciation of historic aesthetics.
That song is an outlier, however. The sound remains classic and unembellished from start to finish, but it’s in the lyrics where the band begins exploring some more modern and complicated ideas. The imagery becomes more vivid, the love gets messier, and MacNeil really starts to flex his writing chops. It’s interesting to watch the vintage façade start to crumble as you notice the smaller details with each new listen.
The relationship explored in “Becca” is about as far-removed from the “going steady” culture of the 50’s as you could get. MacNeil either laments or celebrates (he can’t seem to decide which) a no strings attached relationship. He obviously finds something magical in this person, but can’t bring himself the trouble that a committed relationship would cause. Even “Long Broad Back”, an unarguably romantic song, doesn’t rely too heavily on the thought of being tied down.
The closing song, “Three Months w/o Night”, treads into more experimental territory. The song acts as a somber ballad to the moon, with dramatic pauses and extended instrumentals. As the closing song, it definitely feels like we’re being cast off into the unknown. The tonal shift leaves an impression that’s sure to stick with you.