Indie Music Chatter

Synthpop is mostly a hit-or-miss affair for me. There are some synthpop artists that I like, but there are also some that technically play glorified elevator music. I think the biggest problem of playing synth based music is that there is a big risk of coming out with something that is soulless, as bereft of soul and character as the plastic contraption that makes the music itself.

Au Revoir Simone, fortunately, does not fall into that trapm especially with their second album Bird of Music. The trio (consisting of Erika Forster, Annie Hart and Heather D’Angelo) crafts near-simple synth-based pop that grabs your attention because of its quirkiness. The use of synthesizers and a drum machine actually help bring that quirky quality to the fore. The vocal quality of the trio (yes, all three sing) perfectly complements the music itself. Their delivery actually mirrors the best qualities of Los Angeles based twee pop band Call and Response, only with a more disaffected air. In fact, the whole “going through the motions” way of their singing and the band’s name made me think that they are are European band.  I was quite surprised that they are actually from Brooklyn. Who would’ve thought New York will give birth to a band that oozes silly naivete and innocence.

Au Revoir Simone, Call and Response, Los Angeles