The music on Ferla’s new EP is framed in a certain ‘80s aesthetic, where the vocals are always dramatically draped in a thick reverb, as are the guitars, synthesisers and snares. These production choices manage to add both a sense of atmosphere and drama to the proceedings, with the amount of space left between the instruments a defining factor throughout.
However, when you actively emulate the sounds of a certain era you inevitably invite comparison, and while there’s nothing wrong with Ferla’s synth pop, it feels a little lacking in substance. Ferla’s voice is as rich and strong as it ever was during his time fronting The Toot Toot Toots/Twin Beasts and the playing is tasteful throughout. While each song certainly has its own moment of strength, too often those hooks feel like lost opportunities.
I Can’t Let You Down is a notable exception to this – buoyed by a catchy synth line and a dramatic chorus, the falsetto delivery successfully juxtaposes the Elvis-style delivery of the verse with pleasing results. There are some good ideas and plenty of talent here, but unfortunately the production and instrumentation is more or less the same on all eight songs. While cohesive, the EP feels a bit too similar.
