A familiar name on our publication, the keen reader might remember eclectic New York outfit Occurrence from a feature we published just under a year ago, praising ‘REAL PERSON’ as an “instrumental spin-off that’s incredibly nuanced and boundary-pushing”. We stand by such a statement, in that it particularly illustrates the aural boldness and artistic freedom that permeates the American trio. ‘GEMINI HOLE’ reiterates the same concept, while also bringing vocals and lyrical content back into the mix.
As we dive into ‘GEMINI HOLE’, it becomes more and more apparent how the record finds its zenith in an intense contrast between pop-leaning melodism and leftfield, experimental production, a sonic tension that ends up being one of the album’s foundational qualities. As always, Ken Urban (electronics), Cat Hollyer (vocals) and Johnny Hager (vocals) do a stellar job on it, with Urban’s aleatory and abstract soundscapes embracing the occasional dissonance as well as luscious cinematic allure.
In turn, Hollyer and Hager rise up to the challenge by not restraining themselves in terms of vocal delivery and tongue-in-cheek playfulness, as well as songwriting imagery. ‘GEMINI HOLE’ is quite cryptic in its literary form, functioning as a collection of peculiar and observant tales, songs that are all except conventional. As Urban explain, they were striving “to make something really art-damaged and weird. As often happens, we ended up veering back to pop.”
Recommended! Discover ‘GEMINI HOLE’ now: