Horizons
Dismal Nitch, 2021
9/10
The Seattle outfit Fotoform made quite an impression with their self-titled debut, and this sophomore effort sways from their walls of guitars sound to one that’s layered precisely with synth while still making strategic use of guitars in the dream-punk haze.
“Shadow Spreads” starts the listen with angular guitar work before a soaring dream-pop climate unfolds with light vocals complementing the moody post-punk backdrop, and this formula continues to the throbbing mystery of “Running”, as well as the swirling melodies and acrobatic drumming that populates “Too Late”.
In the middle, the hypnotic “We Only Have So Long” brings both beauty and tension to the emotive landscape, while “Let’s Shut Out The World” shimmers with a more firm approach that benefits from playful bass lines and certainly isn’t short on reverb.
Inching towards the end, “Take” embraces some post-rock aspects to its ethereal singing and strong attention to mood, and “We Crystalize” finishes the listen with a more minimal tactic that’s soaked in rhythmic, shoegaze like sweetness.
Spearheaded by the husband and wife team of Geoffrey Cox and Kim House, they’ve now got Michael Schorr (formerly of Death Cab For Cutie) behind the drum kit, and together they will likely remind you of legends like The Cure, My Bloody Valentine or Cocteau Twins, which is something you’ll never hear me complain about.
Travels well with: Bizou- Tragic Lover; Palm Ghosts- Lifeboat Candidate