Polychrome - Someone - Spritzer
Background - East-London-based Polychrome, who channel the spirit of Cocteau Twins with the electronic ecstasy of M83, are made up of Oliver of The Bronze Medallists and Victoria of Victoria and Jacob. Victoria and Jacob have been championed by the likes of NME, Time Out, The Line of Best Fit, Uncut and DIY to name a few, and have also supported The Mystery Jets, Com Truise, Daughter, and Katy B. Oliver, frontman of indie electronica band Bronze Medallists (also solo performer/activist Olly the Octopus AKA ‘Boris Johnson’s Nemesis’ – City AM), has worked with the likes of Lucy Rose, Mt Wolf, L.A. Salami, and been supported by Radio 1, Radio X, Radio 2, and 6music to name a few.
Polychrome now release lead-single 'Final Kiss' off the upcoming self-titled debut album ‘Polychrome’, which opens with crisp production that features floating vocal samples on flowing synthesiser, making for a deep estuary of thick chromatic chords. Victoria’s silky, reverberating lyricism pours through the verses, and rock-pool crevices are filled with intertwining bubbly synthesisers. Single artwork by Print Designer Lisa King whose work has appeared in Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar and W Magazine, and has collaborated with Kylie Minogue
Victoria studied Creative Music Tech in Cambridge and has contributed a large amount of the production on the album; she feels there is still a massive fight for women in the industry and wants them to get into production and songwriting in the typically male-dominated industry. Victoria considers production during the songwriting process, visualising which effects, samples, and techniques might be used.
Much of the Polychrome album was written in isolation at Grianian Eco Lodge in Scotland – close to Oliver’s hometown. The band took some time out to focus here. Inspired by the incredible landscape and isolation, the duo feel their sonic soundscapes are massively influenced by the Highland views, rivers and incredible mountains.
‘Final Kiss was one of my favourites to work on as I directed the production. I really wanted a vintage sound, and managed to pick up a harmonica mic that I found in a bargain bin. I’ve got a Juni 106 keyboard and a 107 drum-machine keyboard at home that I also recorded to gain the backbone for this track. I’m big on female production and songwriting and seeing how male-led the industry is drives me harder. Olly is always happy to let me take the driving seat as he trusts my style and skill.’ - Victoria. FACEBOOK.
'Final Kiss' opens with some beautifully layered synths that develop into a flowing arrangement with some catchy musical elements that complement the smooth, gentle and notable vocals. It's a little retro in feel, the production however is gorgeously distinct, whatever influences Polychrome might be channelling, they are doing so with significant style.
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Background - Amsterdam psych-pop artist Someone releases her debut EP Chain Reaction, and unveils 1920s silent-movie inspired video for the single of the same name. The former cutesy singer-songwriter shakes off her previous self to explore the rockier depths of pop composition and discover the power of absolute freedom on her debut EP, Chain Reaction.
First single The Deep had a warm, brooding groove, Say Something brought the fuzz, and third cut Forget Forgive ushered in a more delicate, contemplative and personal side to Someone’s sophisticated songwriting. Final single Chain Reaction is a an infectious indie-rock shuffle, accompanied on release by a short film aping the silent movies of the 1920s. It’s been 4 years since the release of (Songs from) The Sandbox, Jackson’s debut album which bagged an impressive number of plays on the Dutch airwaves, and multiple television features, plus syncs for American commercials and series (such as the acclaimed New Girl).
However, set with the task of writing album number two, the TRJ river was running dry. She discovered that the teenager responsible for the poppy happy-go-lucky tunes of her debut album had been replaced by someone older, someone wiser, and (dare she say?) someone a whole lot more interesting. After three years’ working as a composer for TV and feature film, Jackson’s skillset as a writer and producer was broadening, along with her musical tastes (and dusty synthesizer collection).
Hence the regeneration. “I wanted a name that meant: Don’t worry about who I am. Just check out what I make. I make a lot. Some you may like, some you may not. But I’ll like it. And you know what, I’m someone too.” Though the ear-wormy pop sentiment of TRJ still trickles through the veins of the new tracks, the rest of the music is a far cry from the Sandbox. Enhanced by Jackson’s own abstract artworks and live visuals, Someone is like a trip inside her chaotic, over-productive (but colourful) mind. FACEBOOK, TWITTER.
The video is a piece of art in it's own right, thankfully 'Chain Reaction' is one very fine song and the two go together wonderfully. After the classic introduction we have a feisty psych pop track that is just so addictive, with it's slightly understated arrangement and dreamy vocals the detail for each element is thoughtful and as I say, addictive.
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Background - Spritzer is the project of Matthew Meade, founder of Brooklyn chamber-pop band Friend Roulette.
Though the band features a rotating cast of players, its core members include Ryan Weiner (Tiny Hazard), James Preston (Maybird, Sam Kogan), and Kyle Olson (also of Friend Roulette.) They will release their debut LP, Love. Lies. Decay., on April 27th via Paper Garden Records.
The upcoming release draws influence from a wide array of genres, from indie rock and guitar pop to Americana and bossa nova. Its eight tracks showcase Spritzer's diverse and experimental sound, but the album opens with their most upbeat and pop-leaning song to date: "Little Mystery." Described by Meade as a "fun and shamelessly cheesy love song.”
Spritzer will celebrate the release of Love. Lies. Decay. with a show at Brooklyn's Elsewhere on April 25th. FACEBOOK.
Paper Garden Records have a track record for delivering superb artists material and 'Little Mystery' from Spritzer only endorses that opinion further. Brisk, energised and melodic, the chamber pop band have a very catchy (as in hooks galore) track, that suggests the debut album is going to be, more than worthy of inspection in April.
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