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* Shoegaze * Indie * Post-Rock * Grunge * Dream Pop * Psych-Rock * Ethereal *
ARTIST..: Deary
ALBUM...: Deary
GENRE...: Indie
STYLE...: Dream Pop, Shoegaze
YEAR....: 2023
LABEL...: Sonic Cathedral
COUNTRY.: United Kingdom
PLACE...: London, Greater London
ENCODER.: LAME 3.100 -V0
BITRATE.: 260 kbps avg
QUALITY.: 44.1kHz / Joint Stereo
SOURCE..: CDEP
TRACKS..: 11
SIZE....: 86.63 MB
URL..: http://linktr.ee/dearyband
- TRACKLIST
1 Heaven 4:26
2 Only Need 3:30
3 Fairground 3:53
4 Want You 2:46
5 Sleepsong 3:32
6 Beauty In All Blue Satin 4:10
Bonus Tracks
------------
7 2000 Miles 3:40
8 Fairground (Hide In Glass Mix) 4:41
9 Fairground (Saint Etienne Meet Augustin 5:28
Bousfield At The Top Of Town Mix)
10 Fairground (Extended Mix) 5:59
11 Fairground (Live) 4:03
Total Playtime: 46:08
The debut EP from Deary is a thing of real beauty. The London duo manage to
evoke comparisons to the biggies here, but the sound is distinctive, and the
presentation of the music assured. Deary is out on Sonic Cathedral this
Friday. And while the year feels like it's slipping away, there's just enough
time left to declare this one of the better releases of 2023.
"Heaven" roars and swoops with the kind of feel we heard on "Honey Power"-era
MBV, but the spacious and elegant "Only Need" is even better. Dottie's vocals
are sure to earn a reference or two to Liz Fraser, and that's less critics'
shorthand, and more praise. The selection is as good as lots of what was on
Heaven or Las Vegas, with a similar sort of melodic invention, and a wealth
of well-chosen effects. Guitarist and producer Ben Easton is likely to get
called the 21st century Robin Guthrie thanks to this one, and I think he
might be happy with that.
The keyboard-anchored "Fairground" is here too, the number already familiar
to fans, while cosmic "Sleepsong" shines brightly. This is big music, music
that has reach. And while it would be easy for a band to get lost in their
effects pedals while crafting this sort of thing, Deary do not. They wisely
have a sound which seems fairly ambitious, even if it's indie in nature.
There's lots here that reminds one of the best numbers from Slowdive, a band
who've had Deary has support in recent years. Still, most attentive listeners
will hear things here which call to mind the Cocteau Twins from 1990 to 1996.
There's the same sort of sense of exploration and boundary-pushing, and the
same sort of absolutely breathtaking vocals. Of the many bands who've
attempted this since the Cocteaus called it quits, Deary seem to have come
closest to replicating that kind of magic. And Deary has a magic about it
that makes it one of the most enticing records of 2023.
*
deary is a London UK based dream pop project consisting of Dottie (vocals)
and Ben (guitar) with help from Sammy (keyboards/drums). Their new
self-titled debut EP was mastered by Simon Scott (Slowdive). They wear some
influences on their sleeves (MBV, Slowdive, Cocteau Twins) but they tout less
obvious touchpoints like Saint Etienne and Felt Mountain-era Goldfrapp. The
opening track 'Heaven' meshes sweet whooshes of Dottie's vocals with
MBV-styled guitar figures. It sticks in your head and each time I hear it, I
pick up something new in the mix. Just the perfect opener for this song
suite.
It moves into Slowdive and Cocteaus territory with the bell-like 'Only Need'.
It hearkens back to classic Thames Valley era music, but also opens up new
musical vistas with modern production. It is pure headphone music of the
highest order. The 'Fairground' single appeared on many playlists earlier
this year, and for good reason. It is gorgeous, sylvan dream pop, mesmerizing
with its gentle percussive cadence, a mix of trip hop and dream pop.
Definitely one of the best singles I've heard this year. Excellent all
around! It portends great things for this young group.
'Want You' channels Mazzy Star (never a bad thing!). As Dottie coos and
murmurs softly, it's like being inside the best daydream ever! 'Sleepsong'
brings in a bit of Cocteau Twins, and it's another stellar musical ride.
'Beauty in all Blue Satin' is the final offering here, and I am reminded of
French bands like Stereolab or Autour de Lucie. It has that hazy, late day by
the riverbank feel, with soft light and good friends surrounding you. I
really like this EP, and I think any fan who values excellent dream pop with
psych and shoegaze elements will appreciate this. Highly recommended!
-=- SHGZ -=-
-=-=-==-=-=-
Dream Pop
is a subgenre of
alternative rock and neo-psychedelia
that emphasizes atmosphere and sonic texture as much as pop
melody. Common characteristics include breathy vocals, dense productions,
and effects such as reverb, echo, tremolo, and chorus. It often
overlaps with the related genre of shoegaze, and the
two genre terms have at times been
used interchangeably.
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