Review Summary: music is scary // bleep bloop synthdrem
Being an
intense consumer of music can be tiring at times. As the year draws to a close, signalled by the Spotify wrappeds and the Sowing awards, I find myself comparing 2023’s overall output to previous years.
It’s nowhere near as good as last year, it’s better than whatever 2016 was, why has shoegaze not been as strong as other years, what even is my aoty, why do I do this to myself?
Yeah, poor me, listening to music and thinking about it sure would take a toll on anyone. However, perhaps it’s this inherent, nah, obsessive necessity to be
in tune and
up to date with all that is happening in the music(nerd)osphere that makes me appreciate albums like Acopia’s self-titled record. It’s a body of work that feels delightfully detached from whatever the hell is going on outside of the Australian outfit’s tiny corner, and instead simply focuses on putting forth some excellent music. Derivative? Maybe, but does that really matter when every twist is equal parts soothing and intriguing? Perhaps it does, perhaps it does not, but
Acopia is a wonderful way to unwind and clear your mind before relistening, as it sounds even better with fewer thoughts clouding the experience.
For the most part,
Acopia orbits a trippy, synthy take on dream pop. Kate Durman’s vocals secure the ethereal aspects of the band’s sound, while their surrounding soundscapes are not as fuzzed out as one may expect. Thankfully, this works in Acopia’s favour; moreover, it is this very direct nature of the instrumentals that makes otherwise floaty hooks stick. “Be Enough” and “Holding On” feature highly memorable choruses, unapologetically shifting the focus to poppy patterns and carrying this confidence all throughout the record.
However, Acopia truly excel when exploring less predictable textures and diving headfirst into more experimental and patient waters. The album’s second half takes a multitude of risks that all pay off in their own unique ways: “What I’ve Been Looking For” transforms a downtempo-infused soundscape into a hypnotic, drum-fueled cut, whereas closer “Work It Out” is a wonderfully organic ambient track that manages to retain the spacey aesthetics of the album, largely due to Durman’s gorgeous vocal performance. Moreover, amidst the array of genres
Acopia subtly explores, the one-two punch of “Take You For Granted” and “This Conversation Is Getting Boring” stands tall. The former allows the trio’s quirks to assume the spotlight while basking in mesmerising swells, whereas the latter adopts a delicately trance-leaning approach to define and propel its hazy atmosphere.
In spite of its many sonic trips,
Acopia manages to stick to a clear palette and never feels overwhelming. This sense of serenity amidst the experimentations might just be the record’s greatest feat: it is perfectly fine to drift off, let go, be engulfed. At the same time, it is possible to admire the music from a safe distance, far enough not to worry about music as a whole, but close enough to appreciate the inherent and inescapable beauty of this particular piece of music.
