Chalk And Numbers

Sable Young's lovely vocals and Andrew Pierce's hooky songs make Chalk & Numbers' modern update of classic girl group sounds a nice surprise. Too often when people try to re-create the era, they go for an authentic sound but forget to write songs anywhere near as compelling as the originals. Not the case on the duo's second EP, Parade, as the five tunes here are all memorable and sound great no matter what time period they came out of. Whether bopping along with a gum-snapping strut (Things You Do), swaying in reverb-heavy melancholy (In the Dark), or displaying plenty of melodrama on big ballads like So Much for the Bay and the EP's best song, Pretty Colors, the group always displays a firm grip on both dynamics and melodies. Pierce's arrangements are perfectly constructed, the production is clean but scuffed enough to give the sound a vintage tinge, and like any girl group singer worth her mascara, Young bleeds sincerity with her guileless vocals. It's a wonderful little record that deserves some attention from anyone with a soft spot for well-done girl group updates. - Allmusic

Chalk and Numbers mesmerized us with Parade earlier this year, and this week they shed some earnest light for the low-lit places in the Painless Surgery video for "In the Dark". In the quiet and still of the ensuing night, the duo takes you through the endless beginnings where the day has ceased and a music box world of bells opens up with glistening guitars, tambourines that lead the way, and vocals that shine a light on their traveled paths. The song cycle standard is a staple of the banner that Sable Yong and Andrew Pierce raise high up toward the moonlit skies and loverly stars, as their evening adventures bring new promises and boundless potential in a sleepless world of their own creation. - Impose Magazine

Chalk and Numbers are a duo from New York who do what other duos from New York have done recently, which is to evoke the classic era of girl group pop.

"We're inspired by classic songwriting of the 60s but we feel we bring our modern influences to it," they say, explaining that they use "antiqued production techniques and record and mix solely to tape for an entirely analogue recording … We wanted to make good-sounding lo-fi recordings and not just drench it in fuzz or reverb like a lot of the other bands do who happen to share our influences." They cite the Beach Boys, Dusty Springfield and Ronettes as examples of the latter.

Actually, the closer you inspect their songs, the more it occurs Chalk and Numbers' music only superficially resembles that of mid-60s girl groups. Andrew Pierce, the multi-instrumental half of the pair, told Rolling Stone their single Pretty Colors was "inspired by umbrellas. The song is about representing feelings in visual ways through colour" which to us conjures memories of late-60s, that bright, beatific take on psychedelia made by the likes of the Association and Fifth Dimension, who were heavy on light harmony. Pretty Colors isn't a Wall of Sound production, it's breezier and less dense than that, and although the handclaps and tambourine have the authentic period feel, the lyrics eschew the tragic angst of the girl groups. Ronettes and Shangri-Las songs had a darker, more doomed atmosphere than this. Same goes for another of their tracks, Boy, which has the perkiness and innocence of the post-Presley/pre-Beatles era when the likes of Annette Funicello ruled the waves. Then there's In the Dark, which is slower, waltz-paced but country-tinged, suggesting Ronnie not hanging with Spector but John Phillips. So Much For the Bay, too, has a Byrdsian chime to the guitar and tremulousness to the refrain and suggests a remit beyond surf rock and beach pop. These are clearly very clever pop classicists who know their subject well. Far be it from us to dictate their next move, but our suggestion would be to make a concept album where each of the 10 tracks takes us on a chronological and stylistic journey through the 60s, from Luau Cha Cha Cha to Laurel Canyon. All we'd need is an executive producer credit.

The buzz: "A girl group-drenched dollop of wonderfulness" – the Guardian.

The truth: If you like 60s pop then this pair will transport you to Shangri La.

Most likely to: Get a gold star.

Least likely to: Work at Gold Star.

What to buy: The Parade EP is out now.

File next to: Cults, Summer Camp, Spring, Annette Funicello.

Links: chalkandnumbers.bandcamp.com. - The Guardian UK

Chalk and Numbers, the Brooklyn duo consisting of Sable Yong and Andrew Pierce, have been hard at work honing their craft as songwriters and seem to have found their place. Presenting their newest EP, Parade, the pair has a soft and warm sound that we can't get enough of. The music is not weighed down by an abundance of effects or samples; it is straight forward and full of smiles!


Parade pulls from a wide array of influences to create their unique sound: both modern and timeless simultaneously. The EP is set for release on March 12th with an LP slated to follow later. Once you check out the lead single from Parade, “Boy”, below, you'll know why we hope the full-length doesn't take too long! - Filter Magazine