Omni Present
Self-Released, 2020
8/10
A Portland resident who cut her teeth playing in the family band Sisters3 while living in Pennsylvania, AC Sapphire is slated to release a pair of EPs this year, Omni Present being the first.
A listen that’s as colorful as the cover art, “Red Sands” starts the album with warm ambience before soaring vocals enter the soothing and agile atmosphere, and “Rock And Roll Van” follows with melodic indie-pop fun that’s syrupy sweet.
The back half of the EP offers the percussively strong “Picture Of Yourself”, which jangles with head bobbin’ toe tappin’ memorableness, while “Thirsty Pillow” trims the pace back to a surreal setting and soulful delivery. “Desert Stars” ends the listen dreamy and full of blurry pop, which bookends the playful and adventurous effort perfectly.
Sapphire takes help from Ryan Erskine on drums, Robert Harder on various noisemakers, and Matt Adams handling bass, and together they deliver an impressive debut that draws parallels to Jeff Buckley and Neko Case.
Travels well with: Post Animal- When I Think Of You In A Castle; K. Campbell- Heads Up