It is almost fitting that this Santa Monica to London indie-pop/folk group is named after a town that they seemingly have no connection to [update: they grew up on ‘Princeton St.’]. Princeton are three boys from the LA area (two of which are twins), that played together growing up but split apart when college came a-knocking, only to find themselves back together again when they were all studying in the U.K. After performing wherever they could in Ol’ Blighty, even getting a little time on the radio, this threesome has returned to Southern California with their self-released EP, A Case of the Emperor’s Clothes. Those travels have no doubt helped Princeton’s stripped-down guitar/piano/vocals sound, which should seem so familiar and played out, yet they largely avoid the pitfall of being unnecessary.
On A Case of the Emperor’s Clothes, Princeton makes some sad-but-fun songs that don’t feel limited despite using only an acoustic guitar & cheap keyboard (with an egg-shaker and occasional harmonica thrown in). The EP leads off with the standout track, "The Indifference Curve," which manages to be both sad-but-not-whiney and upbeat-but-not-bubblegum. It also has a winsome look back at childhood, which one might only get from two twins and the friend that grew up with them, doubly so if they write it when they’re half a world away from home.
A Case of the Emperor’s Clothes could feel a little like just "The Indifference Curve" single, but the following three tracks go more towards folk, while varying from melodic to sea shanty ("Blackbeard"), keeping the same feel as ‘The Indifference Curve’ without merely repeating. However, that thread is lost on the final three songs on the release, which are overwrought and occasionally dragging. And while only using a few instruments doesn’t restrict Princeton, their recording quality sometimes does, most prominently with the vocals.
When I first looked into Princeton, I was disappointed to find that they seem never to have spent time in my hometown, but A Case of the Emperor’s Clothes can bring me back to the poignant nostalgia of my childhood. These three boys have obviously benefited from the places they have gone, even if central New Jersey is not one of them. While the album is largely hit-or-miss, Princeton hit more often than they miss, and those that land, land true.
