Monday, March 10, 2014

REVIEW: .gif - Saudade EP

8.25 out of 10
Find it here. 

.gif (pronounced 'dot jif') are an up and coming duo (Chew Wei Shan & Nurudin Sadali) based out of Singapore. Their sound is reminiscent of "yesterdays Trip Hop" meets a few of "today's" modern sounds.

'Saudade' (a deep emotional state of nostalgic or deeply melancholic longing for an absent something or someone) is the duo's first official release. Coming out out during the tail-end of 2013 (and for free!) via .gif's bandcamp, there is something almost tragic about how possibly overlooked this album may be. The vocals are smokey-seductive, sometimes reminiscent of CocoRosie's and/or Natalie Beridze, the music is a meshing of pitch-perfect weird/organic samples + soothing beats and exotic undertones. From what I understand this project is more of a side deal than it is a main focus for the artists involved, but apparently there is also a full length on the way, so we've at least got that to look forward to as well.

My only hope is that this duo doesn't disappear into obscurity like a lot of fellow bandcampers do. There is something really special about this release that should appeal to the masses (IMO). Highly Recommended.

Standout Tracks: All..especially; Good Night, Green Light, 11:59

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