Community College is a project headed by John Margaris, the bassist for local gazers Horse Jumper of Love. While Comco has yet to release a properly produced full-length, the two sets of home recordings Margaris has posted on Bandcamp display a knack for melody and sharp lyrics, and leaves this listener eager to hear more.

demos is a sparse, bare-bones LP (as you would expect from an album called demos) released in April 2014. Opening with the line “I don’t jerk off anymore / everything’s a little boring,” the album is an often funny, yet also moving reflection on love, stasis, and growing older. Backed only by unplugged instruments (and the occasional piano or bass), Margaris’ lyrics are front and center here, which is just as well – they are sharp, wry, and relatable. He knows his way around a melody, too – “wandering1” is a simple but extremely catchy couple minutes of pop.

Community College’s more recent release, new phone, is a two-track collection that I like for many of the same reasons that I liked demos. Not much has changed in Margaris’ approach to songwriting, but the melodies on “Porn_01.m4a” are adventurous and the lyrics continue to impress. I can only hope that there’s more to come soon.

Stream both releases below and catch Community College live (you will cry and dance) at Out of the Blue Too this Saturday!