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SoccerPractise - Album Review: SoccerPractise

18 Dec 2017 // A review by butch181

The self-titled debut album by SoccerPractise, is an exquisite, eclectic, perky blend of sound arrangements. This experimental indie electronica has the essence of what could have been if Lorde had aimed for clubs and EDM festivals rather than arena concerts. Without the need for incessant bass drops which have been the go-to for much of the modern music in the electronic genres, SoccerPractise combines unconventional sample soundscapes with the suppressed but evocative and undulating vocal tones of Geneva Alexander-Marsters, every track invites you to close your eyes and experience the music without visual distractions. While Alexander-Marsters is bilingual, and both English and Te Reo Māori languages are present in the release, it doesn’t feel forced; the Te Reo Māori lyrics flow with the samples and synths.

Windfall is the opening track on the release, and potentially one of the strongest tracks on the release, with a contradictory fast beat and drawn out lyrical melodies. The following track, Big Bad Wolf, is their latest single, which coincides with the release of the debut album, and wakes the listener with some discord that would in any other situation be irksome and vexing, but instead juxtaposes the mainstream sound to a point that its many inharmonious qualities mingle in an uncharacteristically melodious fashion. Other standout tracks come in the form of the fully instrumental track Radars, and the more vocally focused final track, Amene. A surprising unexpected gem of a release to see out 2017. 


Review written by Alex Moulton

 
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About SoccerPractise

To be an action, or be active, seems appropriate for a band that also sports a visual musician. You might not hear Kim Newall on the band’s forthcoming album even though he is listed in the songwriting credits. But you will see his “response to the music” if you catch the band live or one of their videos. Like any other member of the band, Kim is at every SoccerPractise rehearsal, but “instead of making sounds I’m making images. So instead of banging a drum, I sometimes have some little puppets or drawings I move. I also play the sampling as well, I do some puppetry or animation and play it back. In response or in conjunction to the music. It’s quite an improvised performance.”

Another unique aspect to the band comes from Geneva. Of Ng?ti Kahungungu ki Wairoa descent, she is fluent in te reo M?ori from her education in k?hanga reo and kura kaupapa M?ori. Acutely aware that her grasp of the language is not as strong as it once was, SoccerPractise is a meaningful way to maintain her reo.

Their new single, Amene is a rework of the Morvin Simon composed Piriponotia and they’ve also penned their own te reo M?ori waiata, Haere Mai Tama.

Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for SoccerPractise

Releases

Te Po
Year: 2019
Type: Album
SoccerPractise
Year: 2017
Type: Album

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