Featuring members of The Ocean Party and Ciggie Witch, Cool Sounds is a wonderful hybrid of all these other projects, with a clear line of difference. Describing themselves as “jazz-gaze” the band utilise synths and even the odd saxophone to create a sound that is vibrant and buoyant in nature.
With track names that are as to the point as the songs themselves, Cool Sounds jump straight into things with album opener Control. Intricate guitar picking introduces the song as a gentle synth comes into the mix without ever feeling out of place or overpowering.
The faster paced songs on the record are also masterfully executed, with the likes of Runs Wild and Patina capturing the band’s immediate energy.
Cool Sounds place a lot of emphasis on introspection and throughout the album are refreshingly forthright in the themes they want to convey. On Shake lead singer Dainis Lacey pleas “stop looking my way”, while Rinsed sees him passionately declaring “I need your heart and soul, total control”.
The album reaches is peak during the title track, which serves as the best example of the band’s meticulous self-production. Nervousness is also a highlight and is perhaps the most relatable song on the album, made all the more effective by Lacey’s sincere vocals.
Dance Moves has a sound that charms with its immediate appeal and is the strong debut you’d expect from a band boasting a number of seasoned musicians. While the album could at times benefit from a wider scope of sounds, it still dazzles from the very first listen and serves as the perfect snapshot of a band confident in their output. An exciting future as one of the leading bands in the independent scene is imminent.
BY HOLLY PEREIRA
