if we could just pretend

Released in 2015, 'if we could just pretend' is a definitive document of the mid-2010s bedroom folk movement. Mitch Welling, recording as Flatsound, stripped away the more expansive ambient experiments of his earlier work to focus on a stark, guitar-and-voice approach. The EP is characterized by its extreme intimacy, achieved through close-mic recording techniques that capture every vocal imperfection and ambient room sound. Lyrically, the record explores themes of social anxiety, depression, and the desire for escapism, particularly on the standout track 'lately i've been feeling tired of everyone i know'. Its release on cassette further emphasized its tactile, lo-fi aesthetic. Critically, it is regarded as a touchstone for the 'sad girl/boy' internet subculture, praised for its lack of pretension and its ability to turn a bedroom recording into a universal emotional experience. It remains one of the most resonant entries in the Flatsound catalog.