Falling In Love With Derek Simpson’s Third Album ‘Somehow’ – 15 August 2024
Somehow, Derek Simpson
Derek Simpson releases his third full-length album, ‘Somehow,’ available August 15th on Digital Formats via Trailing Twelve Records.
Trailing Twelve Records presents Somehow: the third album from Los Angeles, California-based artist, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Derek Simpson set for release on August 15th. A follow-up to his 2021 album Signs, Somehow finds the auteur in his most genuine and experimental form. An examination of falling in love, Somehow is a wide-eyed look at romance, identity, memory, freedom, and, ultimately, the incredible vulnerability and joy that comes from loving someone unconditionally.
Derek Simpson was born and raised in Boston, MA. In 2013, he began releasing music under the moniker Planetarian. Over three years, Simpson uploaded several albums for free to SoundCloud. Gaining praise from the likes of Tyler The Creator and Kevin Abstract, the success of these releases encouraged him to relocate to Long Beach, where he could immerse himself in a community of fellow up-and-coming artists. It was during this time that Simpson expanded his creative pursuits beyond music, showcasing his versatility as a visual artist. He took on the roles of filmmaker and director, producing all of his music videos.
In 2019, Simpson released his debut album, KiNG SUN, with standouts “Nothing” and “Open Water,” garnering millions of streams and solidifying his growing presence in the bedroom pop scene. In 2021, Simpson released his second album, Signs, showcasing a more playful approach to production and thematic content. Within its tracks, listeners were transported to a world where hypnotizing dub revival, alternative R&B, and laid-back disco converged. Derek's musical vision was accompanied by thought-provoking messages exploring human connection, gender identity, and the supernatural. The album caught the critical attention of Spin, Ones To Watch, Atwood Magazine, Indie Shuffle, Dummy, and more.
Derek Simpson, photo credit: Jeffrey Robins
Simpson started the songwriting process for Somehow as far back as November 2021, but in some ways, the production process started as early as childhood. Samples, remnants, & fragments of Simpson’s own previously unused musical ideas all find their place throughout Somehow, serving as both entrancing ear candy and a collage of time. The album’s ten tracks were recorded and produced in Simpson’s Long Beach apartment with additional production and mixing in Boston, MA by long-time friend and collaborator Daniel August. The result is a tantalizing and immersive collection of genre-obscuring earworms that place Simpson’s expressive vocal and inventive production front and center.
Experimentation is at the core of the project. Releasing each of the tracks in sequential order every Thursday for ten weeks straight, Simpson gives listeners a recurring opportunity to connect with each song individually, not too dissimilar from the weekly episode format of a bygone era.
The journey begins with “Saturn Returns” - a gently strummed rhythm guitar keeps a steady heartbeat while both buzzy and silky synths swirl in and out of space. Simpson’s intimate vocals carry a particular warmth that matches the song’s earnest reflection on kindness and connection. The video centers around Simpson and his younger self occupying the same environments and actions.
On the driving groove of “222,” Simpson speak-sings the kind of flirtatious quips with endearing confidence. The video follows Simpson exploring the city and canoodling with a young woman.
“What’s your ETA? Don’t say, / We’re always like 20 minutes late anyway”
Meanwhile, “The Circle One” showcases Simpson’s exploration into the avant-garde with the production built almost entirely of manipulated vocal samples that create a dreamlike and sensual experience.
“Glitterrr” blends earworm vocal samples with laid-back rhythm guitar to lay the foundation while Simpson charts the surrealness and excitement of falling in love. Guest vocalists Marvin Castro and Sage Uasole carry the slow-burning bilingual bridge section into the final flip, where Simpson softly calls out “Wish you could see you glitter / If you could see you the way that I do.”
Album midpoint “copilot” takes shape with mellow electronic guitar and Simpson’s delicate and ethereal vocal. “boytoy” gallops with entrancing darkness to contrast the tongue-in-cheek lyrics as Simpson offers himself up as a proverbial doll to fulfill all whims and desires. The bridge features a Hendrixian guitar solo that somehow feels both explosive and restrained.
“Twist my arm ‘til it breaks / I’ll drop your favorite phrase / Press and hold for your boytoy / I’ll do what I’m told just call me boytoy”
On the subdued “In Ur Reach,” samples pulsate and bubble while languid guitar charts a delicate motif. Simpson’s vocals are stretched and squeezed, going from laid-back speak-singing, sparse couplets, to deep and low whispers, and drawing to a close with an angelic falsetto duet with guest vocalist Sage Uasole.
“T” reflects on heartbreak and how time can heal and reframe feelings. Simpson calls out “Still got love for you / I’m rootin’ for you” atop an infectious blend of sub-bass, syncopated synths, and explosive guitar samples.
Derek Simpson, photo credit: Jeffrey Robins
The melancholy and romantic “RC30s” charts an intoxicated evening between two lovers. Simpson’s vocal is as charming and seductive as ever while he sings lines like “You know I’d carry you / If your feet get tired on a street we don’t recognize.”
The final song, “Bonez & All” centers around pulsing keyboard fragments and features guest vocals from long-time collaborating Daniel August. Simpson explores various vocal styles and reprises moments from the album both thematically and melodically, ending with the main refrain from “222.”
With Derek Simpson’s bleeding-edge production style and earnest vocal at the forefront, Somehow is an immersive and poignant celebration of romance and the joys of sharing your purest self with someone.
Simpson shared the following statement on the album:
It was Halloween 2021 when i cordially asked a group of acquaintances if anyone wanted another drink before last call. You spoke up. You couldve been in any costume & i wouldve seen you immediately. It was November, then it was May, and then it was August. You kept wearing costumes, i kept seeing you as you, & we kept building things.
These songs came from all that. Some of them were a catharsis & some were like internal boxing, but they all see you. Hopefully the initial terror that comes with witnessing a 33 minute close-up of yourself in panavision will wear off after a while. I plan on playing these songs for you in front of other people for a long time so you’ll have to get used to it lemon pie. - Derek Simpson
Somehow will be available on digital formats worldwide on August 15th, 2024 through Trailing Twelve.
TRACKLIST
Saturn Returns
222
The Circle One
Glitterrr
copilot
boytoy
In Ur Reach
T
RC30s
Bonez & All
Written by Derek Simpson
Produced by Derek Simpson, Daniel August, and sage ua sole
Performed by Derek Simpson
Mixed by Derek Simpson (BMI) and Daniel August (ASCAP)
Mastered by Rory Hurley
Press Contact: info@trailingtwelve.com
TTR-031
© & ℗ 2024 Trailing Twelve. All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized Copying, Reproduction, Hiring, Lending, Public Performance, And Broadcasting Strictly Prohibited.
Release Date: 15 August 2024
Release Title: Somehow
Artist: Derek Simpson
Duration: 32:52
Label Name: Trailing Twelve
Copyright Name: Trailing Twelve Records
Copyright Year: 2024
Album Territories: World
Catalog Number: TTR-031
UPC: 193436391726
ISRC (Focus Track “Bonez & All:): QM24S2404451
Spotify URI: spotify:album:28yRthaznxMevqquHrkGWe
Apple ID: 1757633185
BIO
Derek Simpson is an artist, producer, and multi-instrumentalist whose creative journey has taken him from the bustling city of Boston to the vibrant music scene of Long Beach, California. Known for his distinctive soundscapes, layered with spacey guitar chords and otherwordly synth lines, Derek's music delves deep into introspective wordplay, often exploring the power of maintaining a positive perspective amidst confusion and adversity.
Derek's talent and unique creative vision have earned him recognition from numerous esteemed publications such as Ones To Watch, Spin, Indie Shuffle, Atwood Magazine, Glide, and Dummy. His music has also found its way into popular culture, with his tracks being featured in Comedy Central's hit series, "Workaholics” and the feature film The Wheel starring Amber Midhunter.
ACCOLADES
“an effortless chunk of psychedelic pop” - Atwood Magazine
"carries a multitude of introspective scenes that outline his inner thoughts, embellished by his mesmerizing guitar playing. These conversations between his sentiments and the music make for a tasteful cocktail made of all the feel-good human stuff." - Spin
"a stunning and hypnotic musical listening experience" - Ones To Watch
"a cross between dream pop and shoegaze - some saucy as hell loops that make it a truly unique and textured offering" - Indie Shuffle
“With a laidback, dreamlike atmosphere, it pulls the listener into his untethered mind, free-flowing and associating as it drifts into parts unknown.” - Atwood Magazine
RELEASE TIMELINE
June 13 - “Saturn Returns”
June 20- “222”
June 27 - “The Circle One”
July 4 - “Glitterrr”
July 11 - “copilot”
July 18 - “boytoy”
July 25 - “In Ur Reach”
August 1 - “T”
August 8 - “RC30s”
August 15 - Somehow (Album) + “Bones & All” Focus Track