SLENDERBODIES
Los Angeles based velvet whisperers Slenderbodies fuse the intimate hollow of human sensuality with the gentle elegance of nature.
Each element is enjoyable on its own, but together some measure of sonic alchemy is induced and the result raises hairs on necks.
Keeping things minimal is essential to this sound - but that doesn’t mean simplicity. Interlocking melodies on clean electric guitars meld tougher like root networks or a swarm of fireflies - striking in their purity as much as their speed and multitude. Programmed drums escort lightly, like a lapping tide or the tapping of insect’ feet. Together these rhythmic and melodic weather systems make for a soothing and engaging listen, but its not until the band unsheathes velvet vocal chords that their sound reaches full potential.
Whispering like wind over sea glass, Max Vehuni causes the inner ear to blossom with a delicate and precise falsetto. Lead guitar player Benji Cormack shadows these vocal lines effortlessly. It can be hard not to liken Slenderbodies to the hushed falsetto of Dave Bayley, frontman of the wildly popular UK alt-pop quartet Glass Animals. However close the comparison, it’s not a bad one - this vocal style is far from played out, especially when combined with rock and electronic songwriting.
Komorebi, the second full length record to sprout from Slenderbodies’ fertile creative garden, largely stays the course set by previous releases while showing off some bold new ideas. Equally tranquil and dynamic, some tracks like the opening Ruminate lull listeners with reverb, space and layered vocals while others like Belong or Dewdrops are bolstered by drum pads and exotic guitar tones that mimic horns, strings or wholly unidentifiable instruments. It’s a lush, enveloping listen, but I wasn’t certain how well it would translate to the stage. I was more than surprised.
It was impossible to ignore the liquid mandalas of rainbow pigment shifting and sliding across Holocene’s eastern wall as you entered. A psychedelic oil spill was being cast onto the stage and surrounding soundproofing from a trio of projectors - the kind you saw in school, helmed by a group I would later discover call themselves the Mad Alchemists. The textured surface bubbled gently for the time being, multiple layers of colored liquid visibly overlapping in the pre-show buzz. Then the music started.
Max and Benji emerged from behind a black curtain, smiling wide and exuding cool confidence. Their touring drummer sat at his kit, awash in melting hues - a delightful surprise from what I expected to be just the savvy production duo. With a shared look, the band launched into their set. If sunrise could make a sound, they poured it forth now, the oils of the Alchemists jumping to life behind and on top of them.
A fitting analog to the colorful album artwork the band has employed until Komorebi, this mesmerizing palette swirled perfectly into the buttery smooth and mechanically precise performance. Hands waved, grins intensified. A swaying reef of uncounted colors seemed to spring up from the audience and warm currents ferried us all through the night.
Check out Slenderbodies’ discography - we love Fabulist and the accompanying story the band wrote for it. Bumps well with sundresses, snorkels and rope swings.
♥ Zach
