Experimenting With Dawn - Experimenting With Dawn

Experimenting With Dawn

Experimenting With Dawn
self-released; 2016

3.6 out of 5

By Jamie Funk
​

Experimenting with Dawn is the project of a formerly married couple; Michael Louis (bass/guitar/ drums/synthesizer/lead vocals) and Gabrielle Fae (lead vocals) make gothic/gloompop according to them. If I could add on to that a bit I’d say there is post-punk in there along with new wave. 

​Their self-titled album Experimenting with Dawn is a fun venture in a darker atmosphere that will still make you dance. The songs were a little under produced to my ears but I felt the band also made some wise aesthetic decisions.

They open with “So Close, Too Close” which is where you can hear my comparisons to new wave and post-punk. The music seems to have influences from closely related bands New Order and Joy Division. 

“Mad Descension” has a different feel. Fae takes the lead vocals and the song has a goth ’80s ballad vibe. Pretty cool stuff but it felt a bit odd coming off the opener.  “Who She Portrays” revolves around a reverb-laced guitar, palatable melodies and darkness while “Bring The Moon” is a little more epic sounding. Kind of like they are playing in a cathedral.

“Stranger To Me” was a highlight. I really liked what was going on with the drums and bass on this track. The vocals seemed to be a little more clear and distinct on this track. “Primal Need’ leans towards dance territory with a huge kick and a good amount of sounds. They go back into a ballad with “Burden” and they close with “Falter” which is a pretty straightforward song.

I know this is a dark album is some ways but it is also just good fun. It’s actually a nice juxtaposition to hear these days as there are a surplus of bands which jump on the synth pop bandwagons trying to imitate bands like Passion Pit and Cut Copy that are all about good vibes.

​The unbridled exuberance of too many people trying to tell me how awesome everything can be is a weight on my soul. Experimenting with Dawn is a remedy for that. Recommended.

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