Porches - Pool

Porches
Pool
2016
Spotify

This record seems to have a couple of personalities going on at once. The first is that dreary New York style in which it is more important to be angsty then happy. The songs are sung quite high often hitting falsetto but in the most dour way possible. But then their is the music, which is synthy and a has swaying side to side quality that you can actually get into. It is these two seemingly opposites that come together to make something that is all at once special, depressing and dancey. Clearly Porches have taken a very avante garde approach to this record pushing the boundaries of how much music is really necessary having some tracks that barely feature more than a keyboard and a drum machine. This album is never straight out depressing, but instead seems to deal with depression and slipping away through the music. A song like "Pool" starts so down but then turns at a point into an all out indie dance party but the lyrics or the sound of his voice never switches. You can hear how this record and Proches in general would really find a connection with people, but only a select few.

The album seems like it could be classified as chillwave but it never quite gets to that energy level except perhaps on tracks like "Car". It exists somewhere in the middle of everything which is way there is such a dichotomy throughout Pools. This album is super heady and tailor made for looking inward. While it may have elements that could be fun to see in a live setting it never comes across as being something to experience communally. This is a record you want just for yourself. The more you listen the more you sort of slip into the mindset of Porches, you can feel the music bit by bit pulling you into it's orbit and falling keeping you there forever. Pools is easy to pass by on a first listen but as you go it gets harder and harder not to like what is going on here. By the time "Shaver" comes around with a really fun saxophone solo you are completely hooked. Give Pools a listen, but be prepared to hang on to this record and never let it go.

7.9 out of 10