deary

Aurelia – Sonic Cathedral

Aurelia, the latest EP release by London-based deary, comes less than a year after their self-titled debut record. Singer Rebecca ‘Dottie’ Cockram and guitarist/producer Ben Easton shift from their debut into a darker side of dreampop, still maintaining the haze and cloudiness in an intense presentation. The songs are lush and thrilling – filled with shimmering guitars and ethereal vocals. All elements of what make this music enchanting and wonderful!

Track 4, “The Drift,” magically transforms from a Cocteau Twins sound to one that channels a more shoegaze wall of guitars- filled with upbeat drumming and flittering synths. “Dream of Me,” track 6, has the beginnings for what could be closely related to Bjork’s “Come to Me.” It has a funky bassline and layers sparkling vocals. Track 3, “Selene,” is intense and drops the mood to a crawling grey smoke cloud. There is tension, then release into a distorted guitar pattern that circles around, akin to a my bloody valentine tune. “Aurelia,” track 1, is shimmering and light. They toured with Slowdive earlier this year – and the influence can be easily heard in this song.

Play them all. I like these in order: 4, 6, 3, 1, 2, and 5.

– (h)earwitness