In the early 1990s many groups created a cult following, sending out mellifluous dreamy dazed-out, blissed-out music, song after song albums that spawned a new genre. What makes Daniel Angelus (also one half of music act SURRENDER HEARTS) many fathoms better than those mood music artists is that “Dream Pop” (out on the Indie label Black Tower Records) has melancholy, achingly beautiful melodies and soothing but never precious vocals.
Soothing, calming, relaxing, beautiful, intelligent, thought-provoking, wonderful and breathtaking are some of the words you could use to describe this EP. Spacey and psychedelic, it’s a disc for dreamers and idealists and hopeless romantics who thought that song craft like this died in the upheaval of techno acts.
If at first you disregard Daniel Angelus as another simple, boring electro-pop artist, don’t. I found that on closer inspection of “Dream Pop” has great complexity in the harmony and chord structures, soothing vocals and fantastic sound combinations. I tend to find that the majority of albums or EP’s that I hear are just a collection of songs; some better than others, but none the less – only a group of songs by an artist. “Dream Pop” doesn’t have that feel to it. It really holds together as a collective unit.
Daniel Angelus has got a wonderful mellow feel to his songs which remain a constant throughout the EP without small sections ruining the mood. For this reason it is difficult to pick out a particular track, however I must say that both “Taste My Tears”, “Don’t’ Loose Your Love” and “Beach” have gorgeous choruses with beautiful chord progressions magically played. This is one EP that you can put on without wanting to skip tracks or adjust the volume level. Fantastic.
As someone who mainly buys indie, rock and alternative rock music I was surprised at the extent to which “Dream Pop” appealed to me. Every track has something new to offer and yet they flow together perfectly, taking one track away from the selection would break the balance.
This is one of those recordings that just sweep you away into another world when you push play. The tranquility, comfort and soothing soundscapes will captivate your mind, tease your ears, and ultimately, keep you coming back for more. Synthesizers and soothing vocals make up this vastly unique EP. There is a very cinematic feel to “Dream Pop”, which boasts much more than the usual fluffy electro-pop sounds currently available.
“Dream Pop” is not about flaunting innovation and tying together a few stimulating sounds and samples so that they are merely catchy. Instead, Daniel Angelus uses pop as a deceptive structure to enhance, rather than package, sonic depth. A mystifying mix of sounds that resembles a subtle mash-up between the Cocteau Twins and Depeche Mode, “Dream Pop” just flows and glides through the room, leaving you intoxicated…
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