Leo Thomson and Ryan Grieve of Canyons don’t wish to be pigeon-holed into obvious categories (dance/electronic act; DJs/producers), but while the Perth duo/founders of record label, Hole In The Sky, are explorative and colourful tacticians, these sonic creations are more euphoric than mystical and aren’t without its moments of cringe-inducing, sun-drenched sheen. A predilection for camp ’80s dance-pop and soft-rock will do that. Canyons’ debut album, Keep Your Dreams, is an exotic psychedelic-electro-pop excursion into a vibrant wonderland that’s heady and at times exhilarating, but its emotional resonance isn’t compelling as yet.
With a pulsating, multi-layered arrangement interweaving saxophone solos, conga-driven percussive workouts, trippy electro flourishes and celestial atmospherics, Under A Blue Sky is undoubtedly thrilling, but those tacky French vocal lines exude a dangerous dose of absurdity. While My Rescue is a more straight-forward electro-pop anthem, The Bridge showcases the schizophrenic, hypnotic trip-fest that Canyons revel in. Better yet, Blue Snakes‘ brooding bass and ominous thud underpin a horn-laden melody that renders this instrumental one of the clear highlights on Keep Your Dreams.
Considering the duo have spent almost two years labouring and perfecting their finest opus of sounds to date – and are developing an adventurous audio/visual show free of computers and full of live loops from a six-piece ensemble – Canyons certainly exhibit ambition and creativity in spades; if only as much attention was paid to the lyrical and emotional components. A party full of colourful characters is fun, but redefining what party means by ignoring trends and creating intimacy is better.
Best Track: Blue Snakes
If You Like These, You’ll Like This: CUT COPY, JUSTICE, LADYHAWKE
In A Word: Wonderland
