Skylar Spence – “Can’t You See”

Skylar Spence – “Can’t You See”

“I slowed down some music and called myself an artist,” Ryan DeRobertis sings on “Can’t You See,” the ecstatic new single from his debut full-length as Skylar Spence. With that line, he sends up his past work as Saint Pepsi with a knowing wink, and moves on to the next chapter. “Can’t You See” joins “Fiona Coyne” as another massive song from DeRobertis’ new moniker, and they’ll both be included on Prom King, due out this fall. It’s a shame we’ll have to wait that long, since this album seems tailor-made for the warm weather, but he’s has taken the extra time and the new name as an opportunity to expand his sound. He’ll be touring behind a live band now, and the new album promises something more fully-realized — less samples, more sample-worthy.

“Can’t You See” is the ego-trip headrush our generation deserves, a punchy and bright neon dance song about how narcissism can serve as a defense mechanism for anxiety. “In the heat of the moment, I thought that I could kiss myself.” DeRobertis transforms from wallflower to life of the party, channeling all of his nervous energy into a new persona and coming out on top, but not without some consequences — “I was crying over nothing, made a few good friends and lost a couple dozen.” He may have a shiny new exterior, but deep down inside he still feels like the same nerd who spent years playing around on his laptop: “I’m in love with my own reflection/ And I feel like I could dance all night/ I’m in love with my own reflection/ I can hardly keep myself together.” At least he has the music to carry him along.

Summer is finally almost here, and DeRobertis has provided the perfect song to soundtrack the next three months. Listen below.

Tracklist:
01 “Intro”
02 “Can’t You See”
03 “Prom King”
04 “I Can’t Be Your Superman”
05 “Ridiculous!”
06 “Fall Harder”
07 “Bounce Is Back”
08 “Affairs”
09 “All I Want”
10 “Cash Wednesday”
11 “Fiona Coyne”

Tour Dates:
06/20 Dover, DE @ Firefly Music Festival
06/27 Rothbury, MI @ Electric Forest Festival
07/11 Ottawa, ON @ Ottawa Bluesfest
07/23 Washington, DC @ DC9
07/24 Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s
07/25 Brooklyn, NY @ Rough Trade
07/30 Allston, MA @ Great Scott
07/31 Montreal, QC @ Osheaga Festival
08/01 Toronto, ON @ The Drake Hotel
08/02 Chicago, IL @ Lollapalooza
10/17-18 San Francisco, CA @ Treasure Island Music Festival
11/21-22 Mexico City, Mexico @ Corona Capital Festival

Prom King is out 9/18 via Carpark Records.

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