Photo by Bryan Lasky

Maybe it’s this writer’s Western Massachusetts experience bias, but pressing play on “Whatever’s Left”, the second single from experimental folk rockers Gold Dust’s forthcoming album, In the Shade of the Living Light, very much lives up to the escapism of its weird, rough gem surroundings. For starters, it’s sonically on point. Where its predecessor “An Early Translation of An Early Work” actually featured Amherst all-star J Mascis on electric sitar, there’s a pay-it-forward homage to the Dinosaur Jr. frontman’s signature guitar solo style tearing through looming mountains and a boring beauty. A psychedelic patchwork of spangled and jangled chords shimmers within reach of a valley summer. For frontman and guitarist Stephen Pierce, guitarist Ally Einbinder, bassist Sean Green, and drummer Adam Reid it’s a peaceful detour that intentionally gets you lost from your current reality. “An abyss eternal, the new not-normal / There’s a stranger that you’ll meet inside,” Pierce’s voice warms against the echos. “Tomorrow’s waymark will guide that long walk / So set out alone into the blank unknown.” It could only be found here.

Gold Dust’s In the Shade of the Living Light will be self-released May 16th.