LA quintet Dust on the Radio provides us with a blast from the present this week in the form of their tightly knit blend of new wave pop and ’80s art rock.
We have the pleasure of premiering “Waiting for the Sound” off their newest release Halfway to the Stars—a track that draws heavily on the sparkling, latter-day production of Queen. What really sells the song is the soaring melody and lyrics of the chorus which ponder the nature of time in a few beautifully succinct stanzas, imbued with the kind of grandiose vocals that call up the ghost of Ziggy Stardust.
Though the sound is decidedly retro, Halfway to the Stars’ overall feel is quite modern. The main subject matter seems to revolve around the band’s respective hometown, Los Angeles, and the grey area between reaching for the stars and living your dream—a discourse on melancholy hopefulness that has been colored by the rich musical leanings of the band’s diverse lineup.
