Federico Y Alvaro // Geometry EP [Loudeast Records]
It’s great to catch San Francisco labels at their shimmery and coolest, so it’s great to catch the Geometry EP from Federico Y Alvaro on Loudeast. Hopefully just the remedy as the Autumnal chill and wind catches the underskirt of good old Blighty.
Things are all good as lead track Geometry leads in with a tremendous sounding production, which is lustrous and sweet. Initial signs are very Miguel Migs as we get into things, with the trademark bongo fills and classic acoustic kick being supplemented with some nice hat-work.
When we hit the drop, we shift very much into a different vibe as the bass appears for the first time. It’s highly reminiscent of Pet Shop Boys brilliant ‘We all Feel Better in the Dark’ and gives a real gravitas to the proceedings. It’s a great vibe from here on, with some deft touches on the vocal and delightful aural flourishes with the synth roving freely too. Lovely stuff.
Perception 1 carries on the flavour, with a more pronounced outing percussively. There’s a cool movie sample in their too which fits well as the hats become aggrieved and hit the break. The riser pulls us out the break and delivers solidly as per the EPs want, particularly when the percussion wanders in the final third.
Perception 2 falls a little flatter for me than the preceding tracks, being a little to true to old school vibes on the organ bassline. Despite the excellent arrangement around it, I would prefer a hook or two more to get my hands raised – as it stands, it’s a cool shoe gazer for me.
Perception 3 take much of Perception 2 to create a beatless soundscape which will work well as a Dj tool for many and certainly supports the Ep well.
For me, it’s all about the Title track, which borrows well from the San Francisco of old, whilst applying modernism to create a track of some charm – nice!
Release Date: Out Now
Words: Mike 13
