OPM: Pop, Rock and Big Beats

Girl Goes Electric – “Pin Up Girl” “Lilies” “Oh Boy”

Clever and unique singer-songwriter pop that’s nearly impossible to categorize. All three of these songs are smart, and they all stand distinct from one another while still being recognizably the work of a single artist. The torchy singing, solid guitar work and groovy programming come from disparate places but merge beautifully. 

The influences seem to include everything from modern electronic dance music – strains of Big Beat, electro, and trip hop are all audible – to pre-rock and roll pop (think the stuff you might hear in a WWII period piece or a Fallout game). The style is one of a kind and, even if you don’t jive with it, you’d be hard-pressed to deny it’s incredibly well executed. If your audio palate is adventurous but you still love a good hook and a well sung tune, check this out. 

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The Modern Folk – Modern Folk Duo Band

Weird, trippy, improvised, largely acoustic lofi that has more in common with krautrock than it does the folk implied by the title and instrumentation. Weird drones, loopy guitar figures, unhinged harmonica and simple rhythms converge into some truly surprising shapes. Pretty at times, and never so abrasive or far out that it’s likely to lose you.

At times it sounds familiar, but it’s best not to get too comfortable – chances are, something weird is right around the corner that’s going to shake you out of that comfort zone anyway. Intriguing stuff and a good reminder that the beardy guys with the modular synthesizers aren’t the only ones doing arcane experimental music.

(Listened to tracks 1 thru 4)

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Universal Constructors – “The King’s Biscuits”

Fun and freewheeling Big Beat that’ll take you right back to the late ‘90s heyday of the scene. I’ve been waiting for a couple years for the inevitable Big Beat revival, but apart from a couple of flashes here and there it has yet to materialize. Is this the track to make it happen? Who knows, but the snappy breaks, solid sound design and an upbeat vibe are accessible, fun and just the kinds of things that tend to work no matter what the era. 

https://soundcloud.com/universalconstructor/the-kings-biscuits

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Sanford – Wave Frequency

Upbeat synthwave with a pleasantly deep set of influences and moods. Kicking off with the vocal/electro synthwave banger “Energy Wave” (and closing on an instrumental version of the same tune), the EP manages to incorporate elements of acid, breaks and downtempo without ever straying too far from its core synthwave competencies. 

Overall, it offers a good vision of how to incorporate a variety of classic electronic vibes into the cinematic dancefloor pulse of synthwave. Might turn off a few purists, but it’s likely to draw in just as many who wish synthwave was more open to this sort of syncretic genre hopping.

(Listened to the whole EP)

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Floby – “Where Would We Go”

Heartfelt, emotive rock and roll with lush production and a gentle, inviting vibe. There’s a strong lean into pop here, but also hints of art rock and prog. If stuff like this was more common today, this kind of material might well be codified into a specific sub genre. As it is, all I can say is it sounds thoroughly modern while also clearly nodding toward several familiar trends from the storied history of the pop side of rock. 

One minute, it’s putting me in mind of “Wish You Were Here” era Floyd; the next, it’s the almost corny side of late ‘90s indie pop. Regardless of what it’s drawing from, it’s nicely executed and easy to listen to. Only you can decide if it’s for you, so what are you waiting for?