Dream pop, huh?
Dark pop?
Why not.
Baltimore trio The Holy Circle is comprised of vocalist / keyboardist Terence Hannum (Locrian), as well as his wife, vocalist Erica Burgner-Hannum of Unlucky Atlas, and Nathan Jurgenson (of Screen Vinyl Image) on drum duties.
All three of their combined perspectives make for a take on a genre that is nowadays labeled as “dream pop” and shoegazing, i.e. a mélange of alternative rock and neo-psychedelica.
Marinated in big sounding, pulsating hypnotic and at times dissonant and noisy synthesizer arrangements and moll basslines, the trio builds intricate ethereal soundscapes with beautifully layered vocals, with more than a mere nod to early era The Cure at least musically, as vocals are significantly different, i.e. more expressive and powerful than what Robert Smith would emit.
This debut offers a well-calibrated mix of pop and experimentation.
A nice variation in sound with one eye focused on the rear view mirror with the rest firmly focused on the present day and enough adage of their own DNA.
Related features
The Holy Circle
One Question Interviews / What's That Noise? • August 14, 2023
