Insight & Critique
  • DAC
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact

SkeletonCrew - It's Better I Don't Know...

7/3/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
SkeletonCrew

It's Better I Don't Know...
self-released; 2020

3.9 out of 5

By Jay Freeman

SkeletonCrew is an alternative music project by musician/composer Felix Danilo and vocalist Nicole Obren from the Far North of New Zealand, who’ve been playing together since the age of twelve. Taking a break from being in larger bands, SkeletonCrew is an exercise in musical self-sufficiency and using the newfound creative freedom to explore the wider universe of music. Danilo creates the concepts weaving themes together with a variety of instruments, while Obren provides a story with her lyrics evoking a range of emotions with her smooth vocals.

Their debut as a duo, It’s Better I Don’t Know, is a genre-bending album, encompassing a range of styles within the indie/alternative music genre, blending elements of rock, pop, electronica and jazz. There are many layers to it, all carefully crafted to complement each other and brought together by Obren’s voice and arresting lyrics. The songs’ various genres fit together with a stylistic flow, incorporating instrumental interludes and sampled everyday sounds. As live performers Danilo and Obren are no strangers, having played many festivals and Northland events, both separately and together. They have a lot of fun and energy on stage and plan to put together a full live band to perform their music this summer. They’re also working on their next album.

The opening track is a mix of what sounds like a tape machine and an ethereal guitar, car traffic and voices in perhaps a downtown setting – a cool, inviting beginning. “Stay” carries on more of the smooth, jazzy guitar sounds with electronic drumbeats and ambient keyboards. Genre wise, it mixes up indie pop and what’s known as “chill.” The song ends with some raining effects. So far, a great soundtrack for summer. “Her” has more of a ‘take charge’ feel, more command with a somewhat traditional verse/bridge/chorus structure. The heavier guitar and synth work have a psychedelic feel to it. “Synthia” begins with some rain sounds and a larger presence of keyboards and bass. I think style wise, this reminded me a little of post-disco – those obscure disco-like songs that crossed over into the territory of new wave, dance-electronica, art rock and pop. Only a few iconic artists have been able to pull this off, Bowie being one of them.

Anyway, this tune transitions into “Let Me Be Lost” a short instrumental that mixes ethereal keys, a slow chill beat and airy, soundscape guitars with more tape deck and rain sound effects. Next is “Show Me, Teach Me” a dreamy, echoing song with heavy effects on the vocals and muffled guitar riffs. This one had a creepy Halloween feel to it. The song fades out with “magical” sounding keys. “Goodbye” features the fastest tempo on the entire album and a few guitars layered on top of each other. I loved the fabulous guitar sounds towards the end. It didn’t occur to me until now, that the duo’s style and/or sound, reminds me of Portishead, Poliça and perhaps Lorde.

​The last number is “Come and Get Me” that band’s jazziest and most playful, I thought. Obren’s vocal work is commanding here, while Danilo’s guitar work and composing is captivating. At times sensual and playful, at other times ethereal and vulnerable with spaced out chill effects, SkeletonCrew’s It’s Better I Don’t Know… is a gorgeous layered journey of sounds, a parade of musical elements that enliven the ears and go beyond the conventional structures of music. The kind of music that would go well with some dreamy video clips to complement this duo’s work. Looking forward to hearing more.

Become A Fan

bandcamp
Tweet
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

       Critique/insight

    We are dedicated to informing the public about the different types of independent  music that is available for your listening pleasure as well as giving the artist a professional critique from a seasoned music geek. We critique a wide variety of niche genres like experimental, IDM, electronic, ambient, shoegaze and much more.

    Tweets by divideanconqer
    Are you one of our faithful visitors who enjoys our website? Like us on Facebook


    Archives

    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012

Company

About
Contributors

Newsletter

Newsletter
Book Your Band
© Divide and Conquer 2022. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • DAC
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact