Yoga Horror
PME, 2022
10/10
The Finnish duo of Karin Mäkiranta and Mikko Pykäri, as Babel the pair bring ethereal pop ideas and reverb heavy sounds on this stunning debut album.
“Eden” starts the listen with warm ambience before shimmering melodies and dreamy vocals, and “Honeyspell” follows with cozy strumming and a hazy quality that’s quite surreal and spiritual.
The middle tracks are among the best, and include the beat friendly and dizzying textures of “Promise”, while “Teeth” offers a light and airy display of dream-pop meets indie-rock. “The Only Thing” is then tailor made for the club with its charming buzzing and pop fueled energy.
“Fake Tears” and “Leo” exit the listen, where the former emits a gorgeous intimacy amid the poetic keys and light singing, and the latter uses acoustic guitar strategically as the pair shift into folk-friendly areas with their alluring brand of song craft.
Both Mäkiranta and Pykäri have esteemed resumes, including playing in Regina, Shine and Karina, and this new venture certainly expands on their past greatness with some exceptional and stylish modern pop.
Travels well with: Astral Swans- Astral Swans; Adna- Black Water