Violens: True

Violens
True
Slumberland Records [2012]









Fire Note Says: Violens spin on a classic Dream Pop style make True an entertaining listen.

Album Review:
The Dream Pop genre is alive and well on the sophomore album from New York's Violens. The band blends its hazy guitar and drifting vocals seamlessly making True one very smooth ride. It is a record that provides plenty of sweet layers that gets highlighted in the opening track "Totally True" and on the building intensity during "Sariza Spring".

What makes True stand out a bit from other newer groups with this retro vibe going on is its hidden muscular approach behind its tracks. The surprising heavy guitar and pounding drums that cut though "Every Melting Degree" is unique as the track soars with the floating vocals of singer Jorge Elbrecht. "All Night Low" once again has a charging drum that hits you right away as the track unfolds in just a mere 2:34 running time. The record constantly has an internal struggle of what is out front - instruments vs. vocals. This fight for power and control pushes True in a positive direction because each song holds an intensity that otherwise might be lost in the politeness of the harmonies or soft lyrical delivery.

Violens may not grab you initially but True is a record that works better with multiple listens. It seems like it might be a headphone album at first but its injection of a strong drum presence makes each track here bigger and provides a depth that would be missing without this approach. Violens ultimately wins with the contrast here because by the time you get to the catchy layered closer "So Hard To See" you are ready to hear it all again.

Key Tracks: "Sariza Spring", "Totally True", "So Hard To See"

Bands With Similar Fire:
The Ocean Blue
Ride
The Church

Violens Website
Violens Facebook
Slumberland Records

-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony