The sunny-sounding harmonies disguise the struggle in the song,” confesses vocalist/guitarist John Treanor of Los Angeles-based psychedelic shoegazers Tombstones In Their Eyes about their sunny and hazy new single “Sweet As Pie” from their upcoming new album Asylum Harbour (Kitten Robot) out this fall. What is the struggle, pray tell? “The struggle is being able to pull yourself out of darkness and into light,” he answers.

Like many psyche-rock songs, the guitar fuzz heavily heaped often masks a deeper darkness obscured by distortion and reverb. “The song features lyrics ‘Coming from the darkness / I see your light / Coming from the darkness / I know I can fly’, which highlights the hope and yearning that is present in many of our darkest sounding songs,” he explains. “The lyrics are about struggling to find your place in the world.”

Drenched deep in minor guitar chords and a propulsive beat that blankets Treanor’s distinctive vocals, “Sweet As Pie” is marked by piercing guitar notes that bob along the surface, evoking the gauzy wonderland of shoegaze. Pristinely produced by Kitten Robot mastermind Paul Roessler (T.S.O.L., Nina Hagen, The Screamers), it solidifies the current band line-up of Phil Cobb (guitar), Paul Boutin (guitar),  Stephen Striegel (drums/percussion), Courtney Davies (vocals), and Nic Nifoussi (bass) with additional support from Paul Roessler (vocals/keys).

“‘Sweet As Pie’ is one of the older songs on the new record,” Treanor explains. “It was written and recorded in 2021/2022 and came about shortly after we brought Courtney into the band and really showcased her beautiful voice. I like the song a lot and I think one of the reasons that we didn’t release it sooner was due to the seeming lightness of the song.”