The music of Above me takes one back a few decades. There's a real throwback appeal here to a past sprinkled with new records from Chapterhouse, My Bloody Valentine, and 808 State. However, Soften the Blows is still full of contemporary energy. It's a lively updating of some familiar forms, and a joy to listen to.
Rick Altieri was in Blue Ocean, and we were fans of that record here, so Soften the Blows arrived here to appreciative ears. From the "Soon"-ish winner "Water Drops" to the rush of "Monolith", this record immediately finds its sweet spot. "Monolith" is one of many tracks here which benefits from assistance from Lauren Matsui (Rhymies, Seablite). "Dissolving Charms" blends vocals, beats, and twangs to produce something a little jittery, but also a little blissed out. Even better is the crunchy "Glowing Faces" later on the record. Think Chapterhouse and Ride (a little).
The music of Above Me works very well for me. It's comfortably situated on the border between dream-pop and electronica, with a faint hint of house in there too. Soften the Blows has similar charms to Rick Altieri's Blue Ocean stuff, but it's quite good on its own terms. Obviously, other fans of Lauren Matsui's Rhymies music will want to check this out too as it's right in the same wheelhouse of styles.
Soften the Blows by Above Me is out now via Dandy Boy Records.
[Photo: Jess Lynn Goss]