Chicago-based multi-instrumentalist Andrew Schneider unveils ‘Pleasant Thoughts’, a sweeping tribute to the golden era of alternative rock. Fusing inspirations from the grandiosity of arena-sized guitars with the melodic finesse of New Wave, the track embodies a rich, layered sound that feels nostalgic yet has a sound distinctly Schneider’s own.
Originally penned in 2007 during his high school years, ‘Pleasant Thoughts’ finds new life through the lens of experience, its melancholic lyricism steeped in themes of jealousy, loss, and emotional stagnation. Schneider’s breathy, earnest vocal delivery, reminiscent of David Bowie’s introspective moments, adds a haunting weight to the verses before giving way to a lush, harmonised chorus. Keyboards take centre stage, guiding the song through a jaunty and dreamlike haze before a guitar solo lifts it toward its atmospheric conclusion.
Drawing inspiration from artists who refuse to be confined by a single genre, Schneider’s artistry thrives on versatility, spanning art rock, chamber pop, post-punk, jazz, and psychedelia.
With ‘Pleasant Thoughts’, he revisits the past with newfound confidence, transforming a formative composition into a fully realised statement, one that captures the restless spirit of early alternative music while carving a space uniquely his own.
