Bottler

Journey Work

Infiné, 2022

8/10

Listen to Journey Work

The New York duo of Pat Bulter and Phil Shore, as Bottler the artists have a past in classical music, but here they are fully immersed in electronic sounds that are quite creative, raw and expand across a wide range of emotions.

“Home” starts the listen with an animated and bright version of electro-pop that uses vocals like an instrument in its flourishing delivery, and “Chrysalis” follows with bare, warm piano that leads into frisky drumming and a firm buzzing that populates the soulful and dance-friendly demeanor.

Further along, “Vinyl” finds itself in dreamy territory, where expressive singing and flowing melodies make this the album’s best, while “Hot Water” enters cautious areas of surreal, hazy song craft that’s quite alluring.

Making our ways towards the end, “You’re Old” sounds tailor made for the club with its indie-tronica pulse and radiant textures, and “Cicada Rhythm” exits the listen in darker areas of atmospheric and introspective waves that are as chilling as they are memorable.

The pair have been friends since childhood, cutting their teeth in the world of music from an early age, and they bring that familiarity to these vivid, diverse and mature dance-pop anthems that settle in nicely on the first listen.

Travels well with: Lunar Moon- Symbolic Creature; Teen Daze- Interior