Charlie Hilton – “Pony”

Charlie Hilton – “Pony”

Charlie Hilton is best known for fronting Blouse — the Portland band whose most recent album was released in 2013 — but she’s striking out as a solo artist with a debut of her very own. It’s called Palana and was produced by Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s Jacob Portrait, save for one track that was done by Woods’ Jarvis Taveniere with background support from none other than Mac DeMarco. “Pony,” the first single from the record, is reminiscent of her work with Blouse: washed out, hazy guitars enveloped by cascading synths. Hilton’s words are cutting and direct — “Get off my back/ I’m not your pony/ I’m getting tired of what you’re handing out” — but the music is spacey and opaque, with keyboards gently descending and lilting vocal loops. It’s the equivalent of aural Ambien, but in the most pleasant and potentially trippy way. Listen below.

Hilton’s debut album, Palana, is out 1/22 via Captured Tracks. A “Pony” 7-inch with an exclusive B-side is out now.

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