When I first heard Seattle's own
Beat Connection, I had a hard time believing they weren't from Sweden (listen up
Sincerely Yours). They recently sent me a copy of their debut EP,
Surf Noir, which they are self-releasing for free and it does impress. I had heard the closer, "
Same Damn Time" previously and a couple mixes and mash-ups (including the stellar Washed Out/Biggie Smalls "It Was All a Dream"), but Beat Connection truly know how to link songs together.
The Eps eight tracks flow together effortlessly, alternating moods between overjoyed and reflective. The album begins with "Sunburn," a foot-tapper that pivots around a jangly guitar surf rock hook. The song serves to set the scene and is almost pure tension, the melody never granting a sufficient release. This gives way to sounds of seagulls announcing the album's best track "In the Water". The song is everything you want for summer. It exudes the balearic nostalgia of
Air France and displays the patience of LCD Soundsystem. Beat Connection don't need to force anything and because of that, their timing is impeccable. When "In the Water" explodes again just before the two minute mark, I am caught off guard every time and yet find myself smiling ear to ear. The song demands movement and dancing. And not absentmindedly. It implores you to really
mean it.
The shortest track, "Wildheart," is the perfect breather after the ecstasy of "In the Water," sounding like some music from an old
Books demo. From this point the EP takes a turn for the pensive, though without forsaking a strong backbeat. The spiking-and-falling melodies of "Theme from Yours Truly" or the slow beat of "Fresh Touch," which gives way seamlessly to "Silver Screen" (a close second best), give you the sense that Beat Connection have done their homework. They have a definite grasp of the electronic music's history as a genre, supporting this knowledge with contemporary indie/pop/chillwave soundscapes. Unlike a lot of more recent acts, they are far more than a one trick pony. They can write one minutes songs or seven minute ones. They can make you dance or make you sit back and dream. All this goes to say, keep your eyes out for Beat Connection in the future. Pick up their free EP and enjoy.
You can get the full EP
here.
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