Missed in 2011
This young man caught my ears early this year during his initial blog swell but I never got around to posting. Soon Trevor Powers was the talk of the indie world–being interviewed by Pitchfork and releasing his debut The Year of Hibernation on Fat Possum. I guess writing anything just felt like noise in the already pretentious crowd. But the kid’s good, so what better way to wrap up Missed in 2011.
Twenty-two year old Powers has an amazing ability to create titanic anthems without them feeling disingenuous or trite. Maybe it’s his small arsenal of instruments or his lo-fi production but every track on Hibernation comes across authentic. The record’s centerpiece “July” was released via his bandcamp page earlier this year for free download as if this was just a hobby. The song begins quiet and reserved but soon evolves into a powerful wave of sound as Powers tells a story of love loss and realization. By the song’s apex you know this kid is for real. Listen to “July” and other standout “Cannons” below.
