ARC – ARC

ARC, three letters for three artists from the Montreal indie scene: Stephen Venkatarangam, Annabelle Brault and Adrian Aitken. The trio’s electro-synthwave is busy, but luminous, and not at all mind-boggling. We certainly like the ingredients added to the cocktail on this eponymous album: avant-garde ambient and IDM (Intelligent Dance Music), well emulsified with layers of full, milky synthetic colours. It grooves beautifully and wraps our well-being in a layer of soothing velvet. We float along without losing our bearings and hope the journey continues long after the last track. Good news: you’ll be able to experience them live at Ursa on Saturday 6 April (with Tolemn and Yukon Weekend Television) and again at Quai des Brumes on 16 May. For friends in Ottawa, head to the Avant-Garde Bar on 16 April.