One trend I have not been able to pick up on is this whole "indie electronic" thing. I love electronic music. Faithless, Moby, Underworld, Way Out West, Plastikman and many more are among my favorite acts of any genre. But try as I might, album after album of this retro, electronic, whatever indie stuff leaves me feeling unfulfilled. I tried to like Passion Pit and Yeasayer, wanted to love Cut Copy and Hot Chip, attempted to enjoy Little Dragon, all to no avail. They just made me reach for my classic 80's synth-pop records and never look back. Then came Young Galaxy.
Hailing from Vancouver, the trio, with the help of Swedish producer Dan Lissvik, have produced an album that touches on that classic 80's synth pop sound, but also mixes in modern day electronic beats and a heavy helping of chilled out bliss for a compelling listen. Although the two male members, Stephen Ramsay and Stephen Kamp contribute on vocals, it is the work of Catherine McCandless that takes this album to the next level. I've always believed a strong female voice can take good electronic music to new heights and McCandless does exactly that here as she moves into more of a lead vocalist role.
Two of McCandless' lead performances here are also the album's strongest tracks. "We Have Everything" has a jumping beat and the strong melodic presence that dominates the album. "Blown Minded" is simply stunning, with an equally impressive video to go along with it. McCandless declares "I was born blown minded with an eye on oblivion" as a sad lone keyboard line plays over the slower beat. It's just a great song.
"Shapeshifting" is a bit of a departure for the band, who primarily have been considered a dream pop outfit, mixed with indie rock. Even though this is much more of an electronic direction, there are still plenty of ethereal, dreamy moments as on the soothing "Peripheral Visionaries", the echoed, dark spaces contained within "High And Goodbye" and the harmonies found on "The Angels Are Surely Weeping".
I continue to find more and more gems coming out of the Canadian music scene, and you can add Young Galaxy to that list. It's refreshing to hear an album that dabbles in a retro synth sound but is able to make it fresh and, most importantly, enjoyable to listen to. Do not sleep on "Shapeshifting", a melodic, beat laden, triumphantly chilled out musical journey.
"Shapeshifting" was released in the U.S. February 15, 2011 on Paper Bag Records.
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