Blankslate’s curiously titled “Nov. 16 (Paper Ducks)” is an unconventional love song, a riotous declaration of affection and devotion worded in endearingly idiosyncratic terms. It does read a bit like a cherished journal entry that spells out one’s effusive feelings of adoration for another person couched in the images of private moments and memories that permanently embed someone’s essence in your heart. Musically it has some distortion on the vocals in the beginning and ramps up to nearly shouted joy between the band’s two main vocalists like that welling up of love is bursting out because it feels impossible to hide it any longer and intertwined with confessions of one’s own shortcomings that the recipient of your passionate regard helped you to overcome perhaps without intending to. It’s a string of words worthy of Andrea Gibson’s own, exuberant and entirely sincere poetry along similar lines of expression. It’s indie rock buoyed with driving rhythms and excitement but balanced by tender moments that resonate with an irresistible sincerity. Listen to “Nov. 16 (Paper Ducks)” on Spotify and follow the Denver-based Blankslate at the links provided. Its latest album Lookout Mountain Charley released August 9, 2025.
Queen City Sounds and Art 
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