Minimalist and catchy doesn’t necessarily rule out sophistication and research. At first glance, it’s easy to recognize in possibles a mastery of sound processing that’s indissociable from learned genres such as electroacoustic and other electronic music “not for dancing”. But you’ll certainly be able to dance to the sounds of this Montreal duo, for their music stands on the cusp of two contrasting sonic universes.
On the one hand, we have rather conventional pop musical forms, in which we recognize both well-situated rhythmic accents and familiar harmonic progressions. On the other, there’s a highly textured coating that colors the pieces with a dreamy aura. The guitars and drum machine are clearly audible, but embedded in the ethereal ambience of synthesizers, vocals and their multiple effects. The vocals deserve a special mention for their timbral use. Whether through sample loops or the addition of treatments such as chorus and delay, the voice moves away from its role as a vehicle for the lyrics and becomes an integral part of the whole. In this context, note accuracy and virtuosity become secondary parameters. One can also appreciate the sound design, which testifies to real creative work in the studio and intersperses the album with more overtly experimental moments.
The beauty of an album like this is that it offers music that places equal importance on finding catchy hooks and crafting a rich texture. So, while the spines of the tracks are always those of a well-known pop/rock, the detail of the arrangements and the studio work nonetheless tip you over the edge of reality.
