Good Morning and Welcome to Super Love 3

RIYL: Stereolab, Pizzicato Five, Pearl & the Oysters, Ginger Root

Genres: indie pop, orchestral pop, bedroom pop

“Good morning. Welcome to Super Love 3. Thank you for being here.” A placeless pop concierge, like a VHS instructional training video, welcomes you to Dorio’s new album. Offering a fully illustrated sound world, Super Love 3 strikingly expands the Austin-based project’s meticulously handmade sonic universe. Wake up in a world of indie pop and electronic elements, pulled from dusty CD shelves, internet archives, and other escapes. It’s the most complete expression of multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer Chad Doriocourt’s musical vision yet.

The duo's highly anticipated sophomore album, Super Love 3 marks a bold evolution for the Austin-based project, delivering a sonic world that’s both intricate and immersive. From the very first track, listeners are welcomed by a quirky, placeless pop concierge—like something out of an old VHS training video—ushering us into a realm of indie pop, electronic grooves, and a blend of influences that span the decades.

Super Love 3 is a fully illustrated sound journey, expanding on Dorio’s meticulously crafted sonic universe. This album is the most complete expression yet of Chad Doriocourt’s vision as a multi-instrumentalist, producer, and songwriter. Co-written with long-time collaborator Rachel Rascoe, Super Love 3 pushes the boundaries of indie pop, blending elements of 90s Italo pop, Japanese Shibuya-kei, and minimalist classical arrangements with a modern touch. The result is a collection of songs that feel both retro and forward-thinking, with an innovative approach that will resonate with fans of modern indie artists like Ginger Root and Pearl & the Oysters.

The album was born during a period of deep musical exploration, where Chad and Rachel dove into out-of-print CDs from the 90s and early 2000s. Inspired by the sounds of Stereolab, Pizzicato Five, and other experimental artists, Dorio brings a fresh perspective, where breakbeats meet fuzzed-out guitars and unexpected sonic ideas abound.

“The narrator on the album is this voice in my head,” explains Chad. “The phone ringing is like a wake-up call, from a dream, in a new place.” Rachel adds, “It’s a sonically textured environment that could be overwhelming or comforting, depending on how you receive it. There are so many resets and different entryways in the music, like picking up the phone to start a new chapter.”

Super Love 3 also marks Dorio’s continued partnership with Earth Libraries, expanding their reach as a band that blends innovative inspiration—from OutKast to Air's Moon Safari—into a style all their own. With an upbeat, experimental mix of bubblegum-pop, hip-hop percussion, and neo-psych influences, Dorio’s music is both comforting and experimental, offering something new with each listen.

The album also captures a sense of personal and creative renewal. Chad recently wrapped up a late-night music venue job, while Rachel transitioned from a long-time role as a music editor and columnist. Together, they brought fresh energy to the album’s co-writing process, with lyrics that explore everything from existential questions to the highs and lows of escapism. As Rachel puts it, “Some of the lyrics are asking questions or seeking comfort from each other.”

The creative environment behind Super Love 3 was equally intimate and DIY. Recorded in their home studio, surrounded by 1980s tape machines and quirky artifacts like a Panasonic landline phone, the album is a reflection of the duo’s personal and musical growth. From playful love songs to reflective self-examinations, the album delves into both the comforting and challenging aspects of human connection and personal change.

Dorio’s sound continues to evolve with contributions from a talented roster of Texas musicians. Super Love 3 features CJ Eliasen on drums, David Alvarez on keys, Paulo Santos on flute, and Kenken Gorder on trumpet, alongside Dorio’s signature multi-instrumental work. In addition to the eight full tracks, the album includes four mini-interludes that further develop the narrative, keeping the listener engaged with a series of creative and unexpected sonic moments.

Ultimately, Super Love 3 is a record that invites you into a world of colorful possibilities. With its “Stereo World” theme song, it conjures a sense of escape and wonder, a place where you can lose yourself in music and find a little solace along the way. As Dorio sings in the album’s opening track, “Walk in your stereo world ‘cause you know you’re not usual,” it’s a reminder that music is a journey—a place to explore, reflect, and create.

Don’t miss the release of Super Love 3 on June 20th, and stay tuned for more from Dorio. You can also catch them live on their upcoming tour, following their 2024 double single, "The Drive Collection", and their recent performances with acts like Video Age, Omni, and Katy Kirby.