COLUMN: ‘Suburban Indie Rock Star’ signals the arrival of a new indie legend

Snow Ellet bridges the gap between early 2000s pop and skate-punk and modern emo and chamber pop. Powerful guitar riffs hark back to Blink-182’s glory days, and their sleek production sets it apart from anyone making music right now. In his first outing, he’s already the suburban indie rockstar he wants to be.

“Suburban Indie Rockstar” feels like it was created in a lab just for me to love. Eric Reyes, the mastermind behind snow ellet, tweet as someone I would like to go out with. There is a strong connection between Reyes’ online persona and music. With many modern musicians, it seems their personalities are rather sterile compared to the music they make, but Reyes, like their music, is lively and full of life.

EP opener “To Some I’m Genius” revels in incredible confidence. The punchy riffs go incredibly well with the fast percussion. It sounds like the type of song that would open an early 2000s romantic comedy, a plotless movie where teenagers with wallet chains and spiky haircuts roam the suburbs of old Schwinns.

“I make hit songs for all the kids,” Reyes sings on the pontoon bridge. “Sitting in dormitories while they drink a fifth. With all their friends they’ve known for a month.

Snow Ellet’s music strikes the perfect balance between fresh and familiar. To me, that’s genius.

The second track, “Brick,” is where Reyes’ production really begins to shine. Crunchy guitars mingle with a thick bassline and haunting futuristic synths. The chorus is huge, mixing everything into a gigantic column of sound.

“In Reverie” features scintillating riffs reminiscent of Midwestern emo that underscore the sultry rhythm section. There’s a litany of influences in every track, and it’s impossible to identify every sound on first listen.

“What am I thinking?” Reyes sings. “Blank mind but I guess the engine is running.”

“Suburban Indie Rock Star” sounds like a new blueprint for artists from several different scenes. He so skillfully combines pop, rock, punk and lo-fi sensibilities into one project. Nothing seems forged or out of place. Reyes should become a hero for hundreds of independent kids with musical aspirations.

It’s an incredible debut that feels like it was made by one of pop’s oldest statesmen. I can’t expect more from Reyes.