Kolb - Tyrannical Vibes (Gold Vinyl)

A classically trained opera singer who spurned opera for lo-fi pop, an indie-rocker, and an experimental saxophonist walk into a karaoke bar. This isn’t a joke set-up. It’s the origin story of Tyrannical Vibes, the playful, deceptively brilliant new album from Kolb—a.k.a. Brooklyn-based songwriter Mike Kolb—with a little help from his friends, vocalists Carolyn Hietter (Sweet Baby Jesus, Financial Collapse) and Ani Ivry-Block (Palberta, Shimmer, Fire Roast). After spending four years as a touring member of the electro-pop duo Water From Your Eyes, all the while self-releasing the occasional EP or tape, Kolb is properly introducing himself as a solo artist with Tyrannical Vibes. The album, due out September 30 via Ramp Local, is a gem of lo-fi wonder, drawing influence from karaoke outings and cramming more melodic ideas into 25 minutes than gravity would seem to allow.