Oscar – “Open Up” (Stereogum Premiere)

Oscar – “Open Up” (Stereogum Premiere)

Oscar is the mononym of Oscar Scheller, a London art student who makes laptop pop in the lineage of Stephin Merritt, Damon Albarn, Jens Lekman, and other maudlin masters. “Open Up,” the homemade demo he debuts today, arrives on the heels of last spring’s hopelessly romantic “Never Told You,” but it’s sort of a prelude, too. He’s inked a deal with Smalltown Supersound as the first artist on a sub-label called Brown Rice, which will release his first EP this summer. In the meantime, bask in the warm glow of “Open Up,” a lo-fi pop gem shaped with studied expertise and natural flair.

For those situated in England, Oscar’s hosting an indie music night called Damaged Goods tonight in London.

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