StonerPop - StonerPop

StonerPop 

StonerPop
self-released; 2016

​3.8 out of 5

By Jamie Funk

StonerPop is a two-piece electro-pop act hailing from Louisiana consisting of Maudie Michelle (vocals/music) and Jimmie Manueve (music/vocals). They recently released a five song EP showcasing some of their sounds. I’m happy to report this duo isn’t riding the retro synth pop wave that has become ubiquitous over the last couple of years even since bands like  Chvrches and like minded artists became popular.

StonerPop aren’t afraid to get their hands a little dirty and stray away from cutesy melodies. There are some rough edges along with the experimentation in the music that often joins the palatable vocals tones of Michelle. “Preachers” is a good example of this. Ethereal bells, a dark sine wave, and percussive elements make up an hypnotic groove. It’s a bit funky, ethereal and a tad dark but not nearly as dark as an artist like Burial. It’s a great song and quite catchy.

Up next is “Running”. Right away I was enjoying the sounds of this track. This track has darker feel than the opener. There is some very interesting ear candy somewhere between mechanical and atmospheric sounds.

Buzzing sine waves are on the verge breaking on “You’re Never Listening (Get Over Yourself)” while Monsters (feat. Fred Kalil) features elements of glitch and heavenly sounding harp parts. They close with “Fox” which was a solid song but favorable more traditional sounding instrumentation like  piano and and a kit that while still sounding programmed had more of an organic feel.

Stonerpop are one of the better synth pop acts I have heard in recent memory. I love that they aren't trying to shove being cute and danceable down my throat like a million other other bands who discovered an 808 kit and how to tweak a atmospheric preset on a Roland keyboard with a low pass filter. I like their sound. I think it's pretty refreshing. Keep at it.

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