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Astro Children - Single Review: Beneath the Visible Surface

30 Mar 2018 // A review by butch181

The latest single from Astro Children is a departure from their usual sound, with the addition of Jonathan Pearce on the synth. A step deeper into the indie sub-genre of shoegaze, Beneath the Visible Surface exhibits the elements of dreamy, psychedelic space pop. Beginning with muffles, the track transitions to a high clarity chiming, reverbed guitar from vocalist Millie Lovelock, not dissimilar to the opening riff of Dolores O’Riordan hit with The Cranberries, Zombie.

The tune has a slow undulating tempo and a soothing vocal melody that tracks at the same speed; each syllable coinciding with a downstroke of the guitar, and vocal volume peaking in time with the heavy strum of the guitar sequence. The thick pulsating cadence of the track with the additional synth comes across as a musical recreation of a heartbeat, confident and relaxed.

A smooth flow with gentle crescendos into the chorus, Isaac Hickey displays great balance in both restraint and artistic flair, with tom-focused verses and bringing snare into the choruses, he creates variety in their sound alongside the synths to contrast the otherwise repetitive chime of the guitar.

Heavy with effects, Beneath the Visible Surface is a tranquil piece that still exhibits a youthful exuberance, with chilling vocal harmonies, displaying the variability and dynamics of their songwriting capabilities.


Review written by Alex Moulton

 

Releases

Beneath The Visible Surface
Year: 2018
Type: EP
Plain and Fancy Killings
Year: 2016
Type: EP
Proteus
Year: 2013
Type: Album
Buy Online @ Mightyape

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