Other meanings of Real estate
Music
Real Estate is an American indie rock band from Ridgewood, New Jersey, formed in 2009. Known for their jangly, surf-tinged guitar pop and introspective lyrics, the band has released six studio albums and has become a staple of the modern indie rock scene. Their sound is often compared to classic jangle-pop acts like The Byrds and contemporary peers such as Beach Fossils and Ducktails, with whom they share members and a DIY ethos.1
Real Estate formed in 2009 when childhood friends Martin Courtney (guitar, vocals) and Alex Bleeker (bass) reunited after college, joined by Matt Mondanile (guitar) and Jackson Pollis (drums). Their self-titled debut album, released in 2009 on Woodsist, was recorded in a basement and captured a lo-fi, summery sound that quickly gained attention in the Brooklyn indie scene. The band's early EPs and singles, such as "Beach Comber," established their signature blend of repetitive guitar riffs and hazy melodies.
Their second album, Days (2011), was released on Domino Records and marked a production upgrade, with cleaner sound and more polished songwriting. The album received critical acclaim and landed on several year-end lists, including Pitchfork's Best New Music.2 Atlas (2014) debuted at number 51 on the Billboard 200, their highest charting album to date, and featured the single "Talking Backwards." The band's live performances, characterized by tight harmonies and extended instrumental passages, solidified their reputation as a compelling live act.
After Mondanile's departure in 2016, the band continued as a quartet, with Julian Lynch joining on guitar. In Mind (2017) and The Main Thing (2020) showed a more experimental side, incorporating synthesizers and more complex arrangements while retaining their melodic core.3 Their 2024 album Daniel was recorded in upstate New York and received positive reviews for its mature songwriting and cohesive sound. The band has also contributed to soundtracks and collaborated with artists like Kurt Vile.
Beyond their main discography, Real Estate has released several limited-edition cassettes and split singles, including a 2010 split with Ducktails. Bassist Alex Bleeker has a solo project called Alex Bleeker and the Freaks, and Martin Courtney released a solo album, Many Moons, in 2015. The band's early recordings were heavily influenced by the New Jersey shore, and they have cited the band Galaxie 500 as a key inspiration. Their song "Green Aisles" was featured in the film Drinking Buddies (2013).
Real Estate's name is a playful nod to the suburban New Jersey landscapes that inspire their music.
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