From the brilliant mind of Jared Lindbloom, Pink Honey Moan once again, bearing a stunning Sophomore LP titled “The Live Life Girl Will Arm You” produced alongside his friend and Mentor Bill Lefler (Ingrid Michaelson, Dashboard Confessional). This second outing builds upon Lindbloom’s eclectic and dynamic indie sound -not quite pop, not quite rock, all PHM-  with perhaps a bigger dose of heart-pouring and frankly impressive honesty.

The NYC poet and melody meister prepared a short but sweet album that is only six songs long, but they’re loaded through and through with velvety textures, exciting synth-lined soundscapes, and yes genuinely introspective -downright confrontational- lyrics dealing with the power of retrospective and being wrong in hindsight. 

“Tracing back to those watershed moments, there’s always a strong female figure present,” says Lindbloom. “They were all poignant chapters that were crucial to my evolution as a human who seeks healthy relationships above all else.”

The moments and situations which once you dismissed turned out to have a much greater bearing on your destiny? Then this album will definitely resonate with you. “The Live Life Girl Will Arm You” is all about facing backward in time to understand the present.

“Listening to this record, I want there to be moments of stillness while a warm cup of liquid hits cracked, winter lips” explains Lindbloom. “I also want it to sound like youthful exuberance, dancing with arms flailing and sunlight dancing across your face to the small joys of everyday life.”

From the moment the album kisses your ears with “Swoon”, you’ll fall in love with its energy and charm. There’s this giddy dreamer’s confessional-type vibe throughout each song that you just can’t ignore, and also an undeniable 80s electro-synth lining that makes for a wonderful flourish for the indie rock riffs that also lovingly adorn Lindbloom’s gentle vocals.

Though there are a lot of dreamy, relaxing elements to nearly every melody and instrument, the beats can be more contagiously groovy than you would expect, such as in tracks like ‘Swoon’, ‘Radiant Child’ and one of my favorite tracks in the album ‘Bad Man’ which features Beeson and some impressively jazzy brass elegantly laid on top.

The album was written and recorded in various locations, including Los Angeles, South Dakota, and the northeastern seaboard. Some of the recording was done in person at Lefler’s studio, while other parts were done remotely. In addition to Lindbloom on guitar, piano, and vocals, and Lefler contributing piano, drums, and bass, the album also features guitar from Lawrence Katz (of Mighty Mighty Bosstones) and Steve Carter on the tracks “Bullet” and “Wild, Golden, Free.” Lindbloom’s wife provides guest vocals, and alt-pop artist Beeson is featured on some songs. The album was mixed by Andrew Oedel of Ghost Hit Recording, with final touches added by John Naclerio of NADA Recording Studio. 

Ultimately, “The Live Life Girl Will Arm You” is a delightful experience full of someone else’s teaching moments, full of wisdom through experience, and a disarming overload of dreamy, ample soundscapes that border on the liminal and nostalgic in the most well-garnished way you could possibly ask for. This album has plenty of “catch”, but it’s also got a real personality and identity that’s worth celebrating and getting to know, please don’t miss out on it! 

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