Gravity is the latest album from synth-pop duo SINES, which is made up of producer and composer Jason Wann, who is based in Portland, and singer-songwriter and visual artist Kitty Richardson, who lives in Leeds, in northern England.
Despite never actually meeting in person, Wann and Richardson just released their album together. Wann has said that though the project has released two albums and a few singles prior to Gravity, this album is truly what SINES was meant to be.
Wann explains, “The first album was me attempting to make my version of I what thought a modern pop record was. The second was made during lockdown and the less said about it, the better. ‘A Series of Moments’ is to me, the first real SINES album because that’s when Kitty got involved. The songs are much darker lyrically and I think sonically I found more confidence as a producer and a writer, and it just feels so much more cohesive than the first albums.”
Based loosely on the ideas of Philip K. Dick in his futuristic novels, Gravity is a concept album from the perspective of a wayward space explorer returning to Earth in 2023 after being lost amidst the dimensions. It’s a comment on modern society from an outsider’s perspective.
According to Richardson, “For me, the most exciting thing about ‘Gravity’ is the fact that the whole ‘spaceman lost in space and then returning to earth’ story is a perfect allegory for my experience with autism and trying to navigate the neurotypical world. I think my main goal for my music is to communicate to others a feeling that I’m unable to express using only words.”
Encompassing a baker’s dozen tracks, Gravity begins with “Prelude,” opening on drifting, swirling tones that flow into a mid-tempo electro-pop rhythm as layers of shimmering synths glide overhead.
Entry points include the title track, highlighted by Richardson’s delicious vocals, nuanced with subtle, revealing timbres, giving the lyrics a buoyant-lite feel. Brimming with pop punch astride a pushing rhythm, “Man of the Year” throbs with alluring, percolating harmonics topped by Richardson’s deluxe vocals, at once delicate and penetrating.
A personal favorite because of its blend of dark and light elements, “Dirty Lies” pulsates with beguiling, flickering colors juxtaposed against Richardson’s spectral vocals. Whereas “Supernova” features a pop rhythm vaguely reminiscent of early Madonna flavored with hints of Liz Phair, resulting in a potent, galvanizing track.
Another excellent track, “Silhouettes” travels on shadowy textures, reflecting a murky luminosity, as Richardson parades her dreamy Medusa-like voice. The penultimate track, “Millenia” rolls out on chugging washes of synths riding a tight, clicking beat. Flavored by lustrous timbres, Richardson’s voice imbues the lyrics with charming, nostalgic savors.
Retro-laced and teeming with vibrant melodies and contagious rhythms, Gravity offers listeners zesty synth-pop seasoned with modern touches.
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