I had never heard of a genre called Dream Pop before I had listened to a band from Brooklyn called DIIV in my Senior year of high school. Their first album, Oshin, to be specific, intrigued me with its airy quality. It sounded as if Alternative music was tanning under the vibrant sun rays on a bright, Summer day. The music was bubbly, enchanting, and joyful.
Although a very well-crafted album, it does not represent the full spectrum of this odd subgenre that has appeared out of the blue. All of a sudden, a surge of artists and albums had penetrated the realms of YouTube and managed to garner thousands to millions of views. Dream Pop, in its definitive core, is the enmesh between Psychedelic music and Alternative Rock, assuaged by nimble vocals and ambient instrumentation.
One of the first bands to have helped procreate the genre was the infamous English band Slowdive. Since then, the genre has levied off the underground hound bands that play in smaller venues, extending their sound to rebellious teenagers and dream catchers.
A Blissful Journey Into Unreality
When a duo that consists of the vocal prowess of Jenny Andreotti and the instrumental capability of Joseph Andreotti approach the genre with half the manpower, there can be preconceived hesitation involved. Thankfully, Permanent is a thoughtful, blissful journey into the hazy mist of unreality.
Permanent reigns strong with eight, decently timed songs. Each of these songs hold true to their individual element, binding with one another through the instruments and sounds used, but also working with their own pattern arrangement and emotive qualities.
Much of the music here diversifies their palette with different instrumental nuances here and there. Although, the main calibers used in this album are Jenny’s hypnotizing vocals and Joseph’s melodic guitar lead. “Someday” is the perfect demonstration that portrays the main two calibers in the forefront.
Throughout the song, the listener is introduced to the ethereal envelopment that these two are aiming towards. Some hints of 1980s Electronic synths are implemented here, careening rapidly in between Joseph’s leading guitar riffs and Jenny’s godly vocal performance. “Someday” acts as the first song of the album and as automatic transportation for the listener to be catapulted into the rarefied dream the duo constructed.
In the song “Mournful Eyes,” the synthesizers have more of a presentable appearance. These synths work off Jenny’s billowing croons, peddling forward along the undulation of Jenny’s whispering poetry. Once Jenny hushes her lyricism, Joseph’s guitar lines come into play. The synths and the guitar lead go hand in had, fusing themselves into a single vibration that strides along the ambiance.
Another highlight of the album is entitled “Horoscope.” The song holds the aesthetic of a typical 1980s retro-inspired Noir film, such as Nicholas Winding Refn may direct. The synths peddle back and forth in steadfast pace, allowing Jenny’s desirable crooning to breathe life in polyphonic fashion.
Experience Beyond Comprehension
Fawns of Love demonstrates a slight deviation from my first experience with Dream Pop with this album. The influx of other genres involved, such as Electronic music and perhaps Synth wave mixed with Alternative Rock and Psychedelic music makes for an experience beyond comprehension.
Considering that the main force behind this is just a talented married couple makes Presentation all the more awe-inspiring and renders itself an essential listen.