The Ethereal Soundscape of Phoebe Rings: Aseurai
Dream Pop Redefined
“Dream pop” has long been a term that evokes a sense of ambiguity. Artists like Elizabeth Fraser, Trish Keenan of Broadcast, and Mazzy Star have each navigated the realms of reality and surrealism in their music. Their compositions reflect the complexities of waking life, often transforming the mundane into the extraordinary. To assert that “life itself is but a dream” holds profound truth; the visual experiences we encounter are merely our brains interpreting light and color when photons activate our retinas.
Phoebe Rings: From Solo Project to Full Band
New Zealand’s Phoebe Rings has evolved from the solo endeavor of singer and keyboardist Crystal Choi into a fully realized quartet, expanding their musical horizons beyond the confines of traditional dream pop. Their debut album, Aseurai, features the talents of guitarist Simeon Kavanagh-Vincent, bassist Benjamin Locke, and drummer Alex Freer. With their collaborative efforts, the album sparkles with a vibrant sheen, as if the band entered the studio wielding mops and feather dusters to polish every sound.
Musical Influences and Atmospheric Themes
Blending elements of Japanese city pop—disco rhythms, Brazilian jazz, and ‘60s psychedelia—the band has crafted airy melodies that soar to dizzying heights. Choi describes the album’s Korean title, Aseurai, meaning “around you in the atmosphere, hard to reach, fading away,” encapsulating the persistent dream pop ethos. While their heads may be in the clouds, the songs poignantly evoke tangible experiences of loss and nostalgia.
Exploring Themes of Memory and Loss
Opening Track: A Tribute to Heritage
Inspired by the ‘90s K-ballad “샴푸의 요정 (Fairy of Shampoo),” the opening track and title piece, “Aseurai,” is the sole song recorded in Choi’s native language. The lyrics pay homage to her grandmother, whose spirit manifests throughout the album as symbols such as a blue butterfly and a shooting star: “May the falling light of faraway stars/Reach your fingertips and let you breathe.” Choi’s Korean lyrics speak of “memories that bloom like the mist at dawn,” setting the stage for a musical blooming that follows.
Instrumentation and Vocal Harmonies
The rich instrumentation of the album features cinematic strings mingling with squelchy Moog synthesizers, enhanced by well-crafted Bee Gees-style harmonies that lead into an infectious funky breakdown, all anchored by a classic Nile Rodgers riff. Choi’s dulcet voice, reminiscent of the Softies’ Rose Melberg, elegantly navigates through the shimmering soundscape while delivering emotionally layered and often heart-wrenching lyrics.
The Creative Process: Sunday Sessions
Throughout the recording of Aseurai, Phoebe Rings engaged in what they called the “Sunday Sessions,” meeting weekly for two years. This dedicated approach allowed for individual performances to shine, all while maintaining harmonious cohesion. Locke’s nimble bass lines on tracks like “Not a Necessity” and “Drifting” contribute to the album’s playful references to mirrorballs and “stains on suede.”
Contrasting Vocals and Themes
“Static!” serves as a poignant wallflower anthem, showcasing Choi’s classical jazz piano skills, with the hook “I can walk alone with you” resonating with listeners. In contrast, Locke’s lead on “Get Up” feels somewhat heavy, with a deadpan delivery that lacks the energy needed for an upbeat call to action. Even in its most danceable moments, Aseurai resonates with those who prefer a book over a bustling dance floor.
Reflections on Relationships and Aspirations
Elegies of Forgotten Dreams
Choi’s poignant track “Mandarin Tree” serves as an elegy for a millennial dream of domesticity, imagining a “house up the street” adorned with cherry blossoms. Color emerges as a recurring motif in her lyrical landscape; on “Not a Necessity,” she reflects on “motions of blue” and “the splash of rain turning everything deep green.” The weightless jazz waltz “Playground Song” captures the essence of a suspended sunset, painting vivid emotions through sound and imagery.
Significance of Color and Emotion
Choi’s songwriting is imbued with rich emotional landscapes, reminiscent of Yun Dong-ju’s lines about seeing memories and love in the stars. The album radiates with starlight, with every lyric and note capable of standing out on its own, creating a tapestry of feeling that lingers long after the music fades.
Conclusion
Phoebe Rings’ Aseurai transcends the conventional boundaries of dream pop, merging ethereal soundscapes with grounded themes of memory, loss, and the human experience. The band’s meticulous craftsmanship and emotional honesty create a work that is both reflective and engaging, inviting listeners to explore the depths of their own dreams and realities.
FAQs
What is dream pop?
Dream pop is a subgenre of alternative rock characterized by a focus on atmospheric sounds, ethereal vocals, and a dreamy quality that often evokes feelings of nostalgia and introspection.
Who are Phoebe Rings?
Phoebe Rings is a New Zealand-based band that began as a solo project of singer Crystal Choi and has since evolved into a four-piece group, incorporating diverse musical influences into their sound.
What does the title Aseurai mean?
The title Aseurai translates to “around you in the atmosphere, hard to reach, fading away” in Korean, encapsulating the album’s themes of memory and ephemeral beauty.
What themes are explored in the album Aseurai?
The album explores themes of memory, loss, longing, and the complexities of relationships, all while maintaining a vibrant and ethereal sound that defines the dream pop genre.
