fantasy of a broken heart‘s debut album, Feats of Engineering, is out today via Dots Per Inch; stream it below. In our Notable Releases review, we wrote, “Feats of Engineering is Bailey Wollowitz and Al Nardo’s first album as fantasy of a broken heart, but the NYC-based musicians have been collaborating since 2017; they moved into the McKibbin Lofts and into the orbit of artists like Water From Your Eyes, Sloppy Jane, and Godcaster, all the while working on their maximalist indie-pop opus. They introduce themselves on the second track, ‘AFV,’ with Wollowitz intoning, ‘welcome to the fantasy of a broken heart;’ later on ‘Catharsis,’ they shout ‘grandiose gestures!,’ which serves as a statement of intent. Whether they’re striking epic postures on ‘Tapdance 1’ or delivering dreamy harmonies on ‘Ur Heart Stops,’ fantasy of a broken heart wear their hearts entirely on their sleeves on these songs. They’re unafraid to get a little over the top, but their sincerity and keen sense of infectious melody makes it all work, and their zany, technicolor world is only too appealing to get lost in.”
To celebrate the release of Feats of Engineering, Al and Bailey told us about 10 songs that they love to drive to. Read their picks, along with their commentary, below.
AL NARDO & BAILEY WOLLOWITZ’S 10 SONGS THAT WE LOVE TO DRIVE TO
1. Don McLean – “American Pie”
Al: The first tour Bailey and I ever went on together was 10,000 years long and endlessly grueling. We really “earned our stripes” with no heat in the van / sleeping in Walmart parking lots / playing empty rooms. Somehow, every single day without fail this song would come on the radio (we had no AUX abilities in my beat up van). Before that, I never realized how LONG this epoch is. It’s quintessential. We ended up buying this album on vinyl and it’s really good.
2. Suburban Lawns – “Jam the Controls”
Bailey: Just 100% a song about crashing a car. The self-titled Suburban Lawns is always in our tour listening rotation, and this is the last tune on the record, and it’s about crashing a car. Or maybe a spaceship.
3. Grouplove – “Tongue Tied”
A: This song came out right when we started high school. It reminds me of listening to alt rock radio, driving around LA with the windows down. Very good “we only have tonight” type song, which is a crucial car song subgenre.
4. Stevie Wonder – “Tuesday Heartbreak”
B: I’ve always liked that this song takes place on Tuesday although it’s a very Sunday sounding song. Or maybe Thursday. It’s definitely my movie soundtrack song; like, the credits start to roll when this one comes on. The whole record (Talking Book) is a great and profound listen, but this is just a cut to the chase banger song about a day of the week. Classic.
5. Manfred Mann’s Earth Band – “Blinded By The Light”
A: This version is so much cooler than the Springsteen original, sorry.
6. Phil Collins – “Inside Out”
B: I’m relatively new to Phil Collins’ world and got into this track through a video of bassist Leland Sklar talking about the tune. It’s one of those songs that knows its hook so well and just hammers you with it over and over. The synth and production work on here was a huge influence on our last tune “Follow Your Captain.” Also this song sounds kinda like a car horn honking in heaven.
7. Dirt Buyer – “Dirt Buyer Theme Song”
A: If you hear ‘Dirt Buyer Theme Song,’ you already know we’re listening to the entire Dirt Buyer extended discography (Dirt Buyer, Of Wisdom & Folly released under Joe Taylor Sutkowski, Dirt Buyer II). Joe is a master songwriter, every Dirt song is an instant classic.
8. Minnie Riperton – “Oh, By The Way”
B: Come To My Garden is just one of those joyous, kind of unbelievable sounding records. I really associate it and this song in particular with driving through cornfields. Meditative but not too serious. Maurice White is on drums and killing it. I think this album kicked off the 70s in a bigger way than people give it credit for.
9. Neil Young – “Till the Morning Comes”
A: Neil cemented himself as a car classic during his time away from Spotify. There was something annoying and special about needing physical media to listen to him, fishing for the Harvest jewel case out of the center console. I always wish this song was longer.
10. Godcaster – “Death’s Head Eyed Hawkmoth”
B: Every time I have to drive down Myrtle Ave I put on this song to bless my journey. And every time, without fail, Godcaster conjures up the perfect streak of green lights. GPS says 10 minutes? Let’s do it in 5. Godcaster has been my favorite band in Brooklyn since we met them many years ago and I spin this record and particularly this song all the time. Love you Casters.
And Our Secret Last Song…
11. Yes – “Heart of the Sunrise”
B: The best song of all time irregardless of where you are listening to it but especially in a car.
A: The pacing of this song is amazing. The difference in performance between the first chorus and the final chorus—the arms-wide-open, belting “I feel lost in the city”. So classic and huge. Let’s not even get started about huge riffs. Also, “Dreamer easy in the chair that really fits you” is one of my favorite single lyrics ever. It’s really easy to speed 20 over to this song because of how awesome it is.
—
fantasy of a broken heart play an NYC release show at Baby’s All Right on Friday, October 4, which is with Godcaster and a DJ set from starpowerdrummer. Tickets are on sale now. They also support Geese at one of their Geesefest dates at Music Hall of Williamsburg on December 7, which is also with U.S. Girls.