MP3 Premiere: The Laureates’ “Don’t Lose Your Cool”

The Laureates: Spells (Funambulist, 6/28/11)

The Laureates: “Don’t Lose Your Cool”

[audio:https://alarm-magazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/07-Track-07.mp3|titles=The Laureates: “Don’t Lose Your Cool”]

You might recognize one of The Laureates‘ multi-instrumentalists, Adam Penly, as a member of fellow Chicago rocker Paul Cary‘s band.

The song featured here, “Don’t Lose Your Cool,” appears on his other group’s upcoming full-length album, Spells, which was recorded “old school” on an 8-track tape machine. It shakes off any traces of the harsh Midwest winter during which it was recorded and comes out swinging with a summery pop-rock riff replete with resonant harmonizing.

In 2010, The Laureates undertook a year-long project, recording and releasing a cover each month as part of its “Year of The Covers” experiment. All of the tracks, including covers of Dinosaur Jr.Yo La Tengo, Wire, and more, are available for download on the band’s website.