Aurelia

As deary, the duo of singer/guitarist Dottie and producer/multi-instrumentalist Ben Easton debuted their compelling, blurry mix of dreamy, reverb-heavy romanticism and harsh and humming noise on the six-song deary in 2023. A year later, they deliver another six songs in the form of Aurelia, an EP that was co-produced by the band with Iggy B (Spiritualized, Penelope Isles) and which polishes down the more abrasive textures while retaining plenty of layers and echo. Breakbeats are also still in play, as on "The Moth," which opens with an undulating, siren-like (or insect-like) wail before establishing its bass-underpinned groove and eventual deluge of harmonic shimmer. Dotties spectral vocals seem to ricochet off of surrounding atmosphere to push through to our ears, although only some syllables are fully decipherable, including the verse-ending line "You could be my universe." Everything but a residual hum drops out for a midpoint break that highlights lyrics like "Cleverness in your eyes/Guided by angels in disguise" before the strata and breakbeat drop back in. Simon Scott of Slowdive takes over on live drums for the relatively sludgier "Selene," whose aching melody yearns "to get back to you," as if crawling its way out of a mud flat. Catchier entry "The Drift" features a ringing, melodic guitar hook a la the Cure on its way to chasing an object of affection -- perhaps the Bronski Beats "Smalltown Boy"-like distant yowl -- with the repeated phrase "Drift away from me." After the uber-ethereal, almost drumless "Where You Are," Aurelia reintroduces a breakbeat for parting song "Dream of Me" ("Do you still dream of me?"), a six-minute seduction that stretches and loosens its atmosphere like an astral taffy maker. Throughout, the band never break mood or character while exploring aural and emotional infinity for another impressive release. [Three CD-only bonus tracks include a demo and acoustic versions of "The Moth" and "Selene."] ~ Marcy Donelson