Phoebe Rings - Phoebe Rings - EP Review: Phoebe Rings
Go looking for the band’s earlier material and you could be scrambling. That’s because Auckland dream pop outfit Phoebe Rings have wiped the slate clean, expunging previous recordings from the internet in order to make way for their highly accomplished new EP slated to be released on celebrated USA indie label Carpark (Chelsea Jade, The Beths) this October and followed up by a short promotional tour at selected venues across the motu.
The band’s name references the outermost ring that orbits Saturn created by dust from one of the plant’s 146 moons, Phoebe, which is estimated to be about 215 km across - although stats may vary depending on who’s got the telescope at the time.
Orbiting around writer and vocalist Crystal Choi, the band who include Alex Freer (drums), Simeon Kavanagh-Vincent (guitar, synths), and Benjamin Locke (bass) mix up what they rightly claim to be a "unique blend of introspective yearning with celestial danceable grooves".
Their new self-titled debut EP is a re-release of an earlier effort, recorded and mixed by the band, Tom Healy, Jonathan Pearce and Bob Frisbee during Lockdowns and put out in 2021, and now sounding even more lush and voluptuous thanks to the wonderful studio mastery Mr Pearce (he of The Beths) and some strings by Charmian Keay (violin) and Kathleen Tomacruz (cello).
It includes crowd favourites Cheshire, a delicious dreamy, swirling number, inspired by ‘Alice In Wonderland’, apparently and the slightly twee Spissky. With sprinkles of sci-fi pop synths the latter seems to be manifest in the other-worldly, iridescent cover art by In Joo Park. Like the art of albums by Princess Chelsea, it promises a sort of fairy tale adventurism that will inspire and delight. And that song, like the image delivers that vibe confidently.
The band suggests these six tracks are something of a ‘love letter’ to their influences – which include Studio Ghibli films, the Zelda and Stardew Valley game soundtracks, old skool Bossa Nova, material by French Avant-popstars Stereolab, and smoochy 90’s Korean ballads.
If you close your eyes you can play your own game in inspiration train-spotting, especially on the hyper-positive single Daisy (also the only ‘new’ track). For me I was transported to a widescreen cinema scene of bright sunshine and wide-open fields and spring colourings, triggered with sparking uplifting lines like “When you’re next to me, the world’s full of daisies” and the buoyancy of swirling Rhodes-like synths. Choi’s voice is fresh, candy velvet smooth. You could lose yourself in the richness of her over dubbed harmonies which is a pure meadow of opulent lushness.
With a slight twist in the tale, January Blues, Choi reveals her Auckland jazz-school-trained piano playing. This is a beautiful, lounge-ist track, perfect with an extravagant cocktail.
As light a feather, the sweet K-Pop feel of Lazy Universe seems to float across the ears, as delicate as a puff of candyfloss drifting through a beam of sunlight. Only towards the end does the sugar rush finally hit full potential.
And then there’s a live recording of the mesmerising sway of Ocean, recorded live at the Powerstation, dripping in reverb showcases the band’s full lush colour box.
Conspicuously absent is the immaculate pop balladry and disco vibes of Aseurai, written in Korean, and released last year with a wonderfully mystical video by Nahyeon Lee. But that’s only a minor niggle.
This EP has a luxurious sound, and is bright, cheery, often dreamy, even magical – a perfect way to welcome the warm invitations of spring, the fizz of early sun rays on skin and the gentle, comforting tickle of fresh new grass underfoot.
About Phoebe Rings
Choi moved to New Zealand in 2000, growing up in a Korean-speaking home in T?maki Makaurau on the North Shore. She gravitated to the keyboard after school while her parents worked long hours to set up a new business. In an interview with Metro Mag, Choi reflects on the nuanced layers she brings growing up between cultural fabrics as a Korean New Zealander. With these inspirations, her gut tends pulls her towards the introspection of her first language, found in Korean ballads and literature. Speaking to Rat World, lyrics are the final puzzle piece after settling on a melody or groove.
The band are talented musicians in their own right. Simeon Kavanagh-Vincent (Princess Chelsea) is also bedroom pop project Lucky Boy. Alex Freer (Tiny Ruins) is known for his sultry synth-pop solo project, A.C Freazy. “Everyone is very selfless and in service of the music. We’re all on the same mission statement,” adds Freer. “We might add an interesting spice, but everyone wants to make a good soup.”
Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Phoebe Rings
Releases
Other Reviews By Tim Gruar
Rita Mae - EP Review: Kiss The Sky
13 Nov 2024 // by Tim Gruar
They say that your whakapapa defines you. That can be a good thing or a weighty stone around your creative neck.
Read More...
Sally Stockwell - Album Review: Little Triggers
12 Nov 2024 // by Tim Gruar
In the new video Far & Wide (one of three planned for release) Otautahi-based artist Sally Stockwell bursts through the front door, rushes down the driveway and doesn’t stop running until she reaches the sea. The camera pans back to her two cherub angels deliberately spilling milk on the kitchen floor and jumping about on the best couches.
Read More...
The Nomad - Album Review: Infinite III
08 Nov 2024 // by Tim Gruar
There was a time when Daimon Schwalger, AKA The Nomad, was on every airwave, headlining every essential EDM event. His sets at seminal gigs like The Gathering were legendary.
Read More...
Gig Review: Drax Project @ Hunter Lounge, Wellington - 2/11/2024
03 Nov 2024 // by Tim Gruar
Local lads Drax Project have moved far away from their impromptu busking gigs on Courtenay Place, having just wrapped a near sell out headline tour across Blighty, Europe and Aotearoa in support of their super cool sophomore effort Upside (2023). And most recently, they’ve been stomping around the motu revving up local crowds, and a few Aussies stages, to much acclaim.
Read More...
22 Oct 2024 // by Tim Gruar
Louisa Williamson This gig was part of the Wellington Jazz Festival 2024 (October 16- 20). On Thursday night we climbed the stairs, bought our wines and settled in to experience the debut of an specially commissioned piece called The Chasm Where We Fall Into Each Other, written by saxophonist, composer, and band leader Louisa Williamson, as part of this year’s Wellington Jazz Festival.
Read More...
Gig Review: Fly My Pretties @ Great Hall, Massey University, Wellington - 19/10/2024
21 Oct 2024 // by Tim Gruar
Halfway through the second half 'Leader and Co-founder' Barnaby Weir invited everyone to have a drink afterwards. “Come and chat.
Read More...
11 Oct 2024 // by Tim Gruar
On the back of the release of Spook-folk sweetheart Greta O’Leary’s latest singles Baby I’m a Singer and Baptised At The Home Computer, Greta and Fables are embarking on a bit Spring tour, with shows in Tamaki Makaurau and Poneke (and possible other gigs, too) this October. Tonight was their first stop.
Read More...
02 Sep 2024 // by Tim Gruar
Back again, this time during the heart of the Capital’s deepest, darkest days – August. And tonight, it definitely put on a real show of the elements with torrential rain and cyclone force winds hosing down every crack and cranny of the city.
Read More...
Most Viewed Artists
Latest Galleries
NZ Top 10 Singles
- APT.
ROSÉ And Bruno Mars - DIE WITH A SMILE
Lady Gaga And Bruno Mars - BIRDS OF A FEATHER
Billie Eilish - TASTE
Sabrina Carpenter - I LOVE YOU, I'M SORRY
Gracie Abrams - ESPRESSO
Sabrina Carpenter - SAILOR SONG
Gigi Perez - LOSE CONTROL
Teddy Swims - A BAR SONG (TIPSY)
Shaboozey - GOOD LUCK, BABE!
Chappell Roan
More Content on muzic.net.nz
Google Site Search
100% New Zealand Music
All content on this website is copyright to muzic.net.nz and other respective rights holders. Redistribution of any material presented here without permission is prohibited.
Report A Problem
