In their new EP Angel Dust, GLOSSER delves deeper into a captivating, pop-tinged realm, with the lead single “Angel Dust” showcasing their signature blend of melancholic nostalgia and danceable sound. This latest collection highlights the duo's evolution, seamlessly weaving grit into their expansive dreamscapes, all while reflecting the musical intimacy forged in Washington, DC. Inspired by artists like Phantogram, Lorde, and Beach House, GLOSSER aims to transform their ethereal sound into something that thrives on the dance floor. After their self-titled debut EP in 2021, Fanning and Sheehan sought to explore new directions, resulting in their 2023 album DOWNER, which redefines their artistry and pushes their pop boundaries. To celebrate the one-year anniversary of DOWNER, they released a deluxe edition featuring exciting collaborations and remixes, further enriching their dynamic sound.
Q: In your opinion, what are the essential qualities that make a “good songwriter”?
I think a good songwriter is someone who most importantly has good instincts and intuition. I think another element of it is simplicity - being able to create an amazing song around the basic elements of the craft.
Q: What is the basis for writing attention-grabbing music in this day and age?
You just have to lean into what interests you and is true to your art, no matter what may seem in vogue. Right now any genre or style could potentially gain an audience - there is no one “sound” and that’s amazing.
Q: Can you pinpoint some specific songs and songwriters that changed the way you write music?
We have countless bands and songs that have influenced us, so it’s hard to pinpoint, but a few we were listening to when making the EP are Beach House, Alex G, Weyes Blood and Phantogram. Also Lorde, Metric, Built to Spill and Olivia Rodrigo. We’re obsessed with music and listen to a broad genre, so it all probably gets incorporated in different ways.
Q: Do you find it hard to be inspired by your peers? Can you name any new artists you find inspiring?
Not at all, we’re inspired by everything and everyone that connects to us. We really enjoy Wet Leg they’re fantastic.
Q: For your new EP, what inspired the lyrical content, album title, and overall vibe?
This EP was definitely an experiment, we pretty much wrote freely and started production during the writing process to see what came out. Each song is its own statement, and about a lot of different things - different time periods and nostalgia. I’m always looking back on things and a lot of our songs are reflections of how I feel about the past.
Q: Do you find that you ruminate over writing songs and hold on to them for a long time before including them on a record? Or do you prefer to write them, release them, and be done with them? Do you ever revisit old material to do a re-write or once it’s done it’s done?
For this project we wrote the songs pretty quickly, but it’s complicated. The melody and first few lines of “Dove Dreams” were written maybe a year before we went into production and finished the song. “Angel Dust” was written and finished earlier than the other works and we held onto it. It just depends. We definitely tweak songs after they’re written, usually during production, but I don’t think it’s ever been a major change.
Q: Were there any lessons you learned in the writing and recording process for your current release that you will take with you into your next project?
I think I learned to have less of a tight grip, and let things flow and just see what happens. We surprised ourselves with the songs we wrote. It was a very exploratory time, and we’re so excited for more music. We always want to make something new and try something we haven’t before.
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