Night Pass is Pure Bathing Culture’s third and highly anticipated album. Vocalist Sarah Versprille and multi-instrumentalist Daniel Hindman mark their resplendent return with a body of work exemplifying free-floating, energetic renewal. Night Pass’ lyrical skeleton wouldn’t be complete without the menagerie of earthy and astral imagery; the album is surreal romanticism at its finest — from flora, ocean to land, and ornamental crystals, Pure Bathing Culture portrays wandering prose that’s tender and meditative without sacrifice to being electrifyingly rhythmic.
The album’s overarching message aligns with persevering and championing love of all varying degrees — whether this be toward one another, one’s work, or an introspective gratitude and self-care. This palpable energy comes from the duo’s approach to their creative work, Hindman embracing his instruments as companions. He explains, “I don’t plan, I just think of each part as a different person. I’ll name them, think of the clothes they’re wearing, where they’re from… this helps me feel like we’re creating our own world.”
In between their second album, Pray for Rain and the upcoming release of Night Pass, the indie pop duo embarked on an array of tours with Death Cab For Cutie, Chvrches, Lucius and The Shins. This soon led them to team up with producer Tucker Martine (My Morning Jacket, REM, Spoon) for the creation of this record. Bold collaborators within the realm of indie music, Pure Bathing Culture resiliently upholds their defining musical traits and DNA: alluring synthy guitar pop framing Versprille’s dynamic voice which radiates earnest depth and strength — the album is telling of just what Pure Bathing Culture represents, affirmation of how deep their waters run.
Night Pass is a mesmerizing voyage from start to finish — rooted in a patient, nurturing kind of devotion (“Devotion”) and through facing doubts, burgeoning out of resiliency (“Joyous Lake”). Finally, the sun sets on ultimate transcendence, celebrating one’s ability to overcome when accepting life’s new offerings, whether positive, negative and everything in-between.
Pure Bathing Culture’s weighty symbolism and conceptualization feeds into the meditative quest of Night Pass; at closing with “Violet A Voyager,” everything suddenly feels transcendent and lighter. Melodically cohesive, the music’s arcs and rhythmic qualities are like a tide rolling up and retreating in perfectly timed succession — it’s entrancing to fixate and relish one’s attention on. “Black Starling” embodies this very essence, steady synth-pop with reverbing moments, Versprille’s guiding voice echoing in and out.
Whether diving into the subtextual layers of Night Pass or swaying back and forth between its sterling pop rock riffs, this record beams of good vibes and expressions. Vacillating between the album’s dreamy nature and its deeply observant undertones, Pure Bathing Culture cultivates a musical experience that feels uniquely personal. There’s an element of empowering discovery that feels open and welcoming — in passing, it’s encouragement to look closer at what we hold onto, and what we let go.
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““Pure Bathing Culture make their triumphant return and continue to elegantly carry the Fleetwood Mac torch… glorious.” ”
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