Art d'Ecco

Trespasser // Paper Bag

Nostalgia has been a part of the independent music scene forever, with bands emulating their favourite sounds from the past. However one sub genre seems to get little to no attention. Glam-Rock isn’t an easy style to master; the music needs danceable hooks, art-rock undertones and a front person that’s electrifying. Because so much of the genre depends on charisma, it’s no surprise that glam-rock hasn’t been widely reproduced. Thankfully, Art d’Ecco has exploded into the Canadian music scene to fill this void with something new and improved. Armed with red lipstick, high heels and a jet-black wig, d’Ecco has a gift for writing songs that impulsively make you want to dance. The opening baseline on “Never Tell” hooks you fast, then layers of synth and guitar begin to build while d’Ecco reels you in with his voice. The song is an instant classic, but it manages to build further when a saxophone solo bursts in and sends the song into another dimension. The tracks that follow move forward with ease and the hooks keep coming until the title track offers a shift not yet felt on the album. The rhythm section locks into a head bobbing tempo while shimmering synths call out with authority. There are no vocals, just a deep groove. A few songs later “The Hunted” closes the album with a long build into a cacophony of sound that leaves the listener gobsmacked and reaching for the repeat button. Debut records this good are extremely rare, with Trespasser, Art d’Ecco has captured Canada’s attention.

- Jeff MacCallum