Straight out of Brooklyn’s buzzing and unpredictable music scene comes Commons 2, the brainchild of John Gallagher. With over a decade and a half spent honing his craft in various bands and session work, Gallagher isn't one to stick to the script with this project. Commons 2 is all about diving headfirst into intriguing soundscapes and transforming them into something special. It’s a constantly shifting blend of laid-back slacker rock vibes, the dreamy haze of shoegaze, and a deft touch of confident indie – a melting pot of ideas and sounds built to surprise.
The latest offering from the band, 'Part 3', is a standout track taken from their recently released album, ‘Unconscious People’. It’s a song that highlights their knack for making an indelible mark with ease, pushing boundaries, and conjuring up something expressive. Built around a simple, undeniable chord progression, ‘Part 3’ dives headfirst into the theme of making mistakes, owning up to them, and finding a way forward.
Musically, 'Part 3' unfolds with melodic guitar and simple, progressive tones that lay this light, but impactful impression. The vocals drift effortlessly through the mix, weaving in subtle layers of introspection with lines like "time drifting by, no world around me, feels wrong to try, leave me how you found me". It’s a brilliant fusion of light shoegaze textures with a more rhythmic indie rock foundation, creating a sound that feels both expansive and effortlessly immersive.
While ‘Part 3’ acts as a brilliant introduction to Commons 2, the full album is a far more diverse affair. Offering thirteen tracks in total, it’s an impressive snapshot of the band’s penchant for the unexpected. One moment you might hear echoes of Pavement, the next brings to mind early Beck, before suddenly drifting into a fuzzy, dream-pop atmosphere that leaves you wondering how you got there. It’s got a strong DIY spirit, yet there’s a definite polish to its controlled chaos. It’s the sort of sound that just makes you want to pick up an instrument and start your own band.
This is music that embraces both its rough edges and its refined moments. It’s a testament to a process that values meticulous detail, spontaneous creativity, and happy accidents in equal measure.
You can stream both ‘Part 3’ and the full album today, and be sure to join Commons 2 on Instagram and TikTok.
