Monolith
hfn, 2020
8/10
A duo composed of Joel Krozer and Brian Della Valle, as Fluqx the pair from Denmark deliver unique electronic texturing, where nods to the ‘80s are never in short supply and Della Valle’s strategically placed vocals leave an impression.
“Here” starts the listen with hypnotic synth manipulation as a dreamy setting enters amid New Wave nods, and “Feather” continues the mood with a dark quality that’s ambient and exploratory but not without underlying melody.
In the middle, “Monolith” moves with a surreal quality that’s playful with precise synth, while “First, Everything” gets spacey and cinematic in its calculated and mesmerizing execution.
Deeper cuts bring us the strategic and blurry “Carvings”, and the precise, yet delicate “Ephemeral Objects”. “Mojave Booth” ends the listen with a cosmic approach and droning display that finishes the listen with glowing experimental prowess.
Krozer and Della Valle do an impressive job of tweaking pop sounds on this debut album, where hooks and throwback moments mesh well with their inventive approach to today’s version of electro-pop.
Travels well with: Kasper Bjorke- Fool; Trentemoller- Lost Reworks