Prinze George - Illiterate Synth Pop

Prinze George
Illiterate Synth Pop
2016
Spotify

Illiterate Synth Pop is the debut LP from Prinze George a Maryland based electropop three piece. Some of their singles have been rolling around for awhile as well as an EP that came out last year. Their take on this synth heavy pop music is quite interesting because Naomi Almquist's vocals are so very distinct. They aren't sweet, though they are quite pleasing, and there is a great deal of depth that you get with each note that she sings. The music is also quite complex which gives it this very polished sound that feels much more expensive than it probably was. "Freeze" has a grand soundscape quality but it is punctuated with a synth line that just takes it to an entirely new level. You are being bombarded with sounds from all angles when the very first note begins and it never lets us. "Wait Up" sounds like it could be on a much more ambient heavy record, but it swirls and moves like some of the best songs in that genre. It has this really special slow burn quality pulling you along as it builds and builds. They tow the line between dance, ambient, pop and electronic so incredibly well that they make a space just for themselves to exist in. The trend continues on "Make Me" letting the song come to you when it's ready rather than forcing it upon you.

The swaying quality that a great deal of the tracks on the record have is almost hypnotizing a la Shoe-gaze but in a very different and much more subtle way. "Angels" which somehow was not the first single soars to such great heights and really allows for Almquist's vocals to take center stage. Nothing from the first EP makes it's way on this record which after listening makes sense because the EP seemed to focus a bit more on the Indie Dance side of things where this clearly falls hard for grand soundscapes. The record does seem to be missing a bit of low end just to round everything out. "The Water Main" is intense and rich, but a really powerful bass addition would send it out of this world. The ethereal is obviously center stage on Illiterate Synth Pop but Prinze George are able to keep the music grounded in reality. What you get most after listening to this album is an immense sense of potential. This is just the beginning for Prinze George and while it's great what may be on the horizon could be something truly special. Get in on the ground floor with Prinze George you'll be very happy you did.

8.1 out of 10