Freeze, Melt
Cutters, 2020
9/10
The Australian synth-pop wizards Cut Copy are back with a 6th studio album, where inspiration was derived from the band founder Dan Whitford’s 2018 winter in Denmark, which translates to a nature-esque quality to their always exciting electronic formula.
“Cold Water” starts the listen with plenty of warm ambience as hypnotic keys align with a firm beat amid spacey noises and inviting vocals, and this adventurousness continues to the nearly tropical and soulful “Like Breaking Glass”, which sounds very indebted to ‘80s New Wave in the best ways.
At the midpoint, “Stop, Horizon” offers a dreamy backdrop against playful synth as wordless vocals work like an instrument alongside minor funk stabs, while “Running In The Grass” is full of charming percussion and hazy synth that takes nods to the early days of post-punk.
The last 2 tracks are among the best, as “Rain” illustrates soft vocals versus warbly synth in a moody climate that’s not short on atmosphere, and “in Transit” exits with a buzzing display of cautious yet frisky song craft that carries a soaring aspect amid acoustic strings and some of the record’s best melodies.
Cut Copy do a great job here of expanding their horizons with much more detail to textures that develop into landscapes that really draw the listener in. Whether you’re an unwavering fan or a first time listener, you’re going to be impressed.
Travels well with: Ladyhawke- Wild Things; The Faint- Capsule 1999-2016