Lunavela - EP Review: Lunavela
Lunavela is the current musical project
of Steve Mathieson, formerly of
Auckland indie outfit Collapsing Cities.
The 5 track self-titled EP is described by Lunavela as Shoegaze House, which is a genre I have never heard of before. Research educated me to the fact that it is a form of Dream Pop.
Lyrics on Lunavela are delightfully catchy and personal “Says Mathieson, I would describe my songs as storytelling-based songs about love, relationship breakdowns and intimacy etc.” Dream Pop has a tendency to feature synth heavily and this is no exception, you seem to get swept along in an electronic tide of 1980's nostalgia. You may be forgiven for thinking you accidently pushed play on a Human League CD.
There is an entrancing vibe to this album which is appealing; the beat has you tapping your toes whilst entering into a dream like state at the same time.
Noise and distortion which appear to be a feature of the Shoegaze style, is kept to a minimum. Instead letting the percussion compliment the synth rather than competing with it. On further investigation, this is Bedroom Dream Pop, so perhaps a toned-down version of Shoegaze. There are definitely no “walls of guitars” or “cascades of feedback”.
An intriguing CD cover featuring artwork by Sheva Kafai, offers plenty of visual interest.
★★★★ (4 stars)Review written by Corinne Rutherford
About Lunavela
Mathieson draws his songwriting inspiration from exploring the things that most people think, but don’t want to say. “The more uncomfortable the lyrics make me feel, the better,” he says, and his latest offering stands true to this assertion, with the upbeat pop guitar juxtaposing the self-analytical, vulnerable lyrics.
Unconventionally, he says he usually starts with a song title and develops the idea from there, preferring to work within a 'theme' for his lyrics. Mathieson’s signature style seems to be setting those sticky observations that none of us like to make out loud to a catchy, upbeat backdrop, inviting his listeners to freely relate to the discomfort with a knowing smile and a tapping foot.
Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Lunavela
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