Absolutely Free, Counterfeit Jeans, and Beach Body
Absolutely Free
Aftertouch // Boiled Records
In their sophomore effort, Aftertouch, Toronto art-pop group Absolutely Free have crafted an airy, explorative, and kaleidoscopic vision of an unknown future. Launching from familiar new wave and krautrock foundations to chart a new journey into more experimental and psychedelic pop, the album is awash in neon palettes of maximal synthesizers and bathed in luminescent melody.
Opening track “Epilogue (After Touch)” is ushered in by layers of clockwork percussion and romantic synth pads that quickly build to a weightless grandiosity, establishing an expansive sound on this album that seems to fill whatever space the listener allows for it (Aftertouch is definitely a record you might affix with the label of “headphone album”). Like much of what follows, it is punctuated by booming tom drums and diaphanous vocal harmonies that reverberate into a pulsating and prismatic sonic abyss.
Balancing anxiety with catharsis in a way that feels very apropos of 2021, Aftertouch presents a version of retro-futurism that manages to emphasize both organic idealism and synthetic fantasy by playing in the liminal spaces between these two aesthetic extremes. Tracks like “Still Life” or “Are They Signs” utilize a guitar-accentuated synthpop sound that shows a clear influence from classic 80s new wave acts like Ultravox, Blue Peter, or New Order, while the man-machine rhythm and constant motion of Aftertouch, carried along by a steady motorik beat, leaves an indelible krautrock impression. Previously-released single “Interface” offers a good exemple of the continuous analogue vs. digital tension that is characteristic of the album, and explores both the possibilities and the limitations of human connection and self-identity that can be established in hyperconnected and purely digital environs.
Taken as a whole, Aftertouch is a cohesive and satisfying 40-minute listening experience, offering an optimistic yet still rightfully cautious look at a post-everything future that feels nearer by the day. It is an aural approximation of an interstellar voyage that traverses unknown sectors of the virtual multiverse, and bears enough curiosity and daring hope to take a peek out the capsule window and revel in whatever unknown landscapes the trip might reveal.
- Julie Maier
Counterfeit Jeans
Junior Capitalists // Self Released
Ooooh ya I got the new Counterfeit Jeans! This ain’t no knock-off pair of denim. It’s the long anticipated new release by one of my favourite Indie/Alt-Punk/Emo Power Trio’s in Edmonton. It’s gonna tear your jeans and fray them to shreds. It’s the third release from the band of long time friends. Playing together for seven years they’ve endured a lot of ups and downs but no matter the season of life, they have stuck together through it all. I think you’ll definitely hear this close connection as they channel that into their style and music. These latest compositions still have the grunge indie rock vibe that first drew me to their music.
The band consists of Jed Gauthier on Vox, Guitar, and other things. Spencer Heykants on Bass. Then Tyler Bedford on Drums. Recorded at Half Stack Studio with Cody Blakey in Edmonton. Mastered by Stu McKillop at Railtown Mastering in Vancouver. Drum Tech with Darren Chewka of Teenage Bottle Rocket. Junior Capitalists is Self Released with Multinational Waterslide. They are very excited about this release being similar to their first release. Whether it’s a back to your roots thing or not... this is a Pandemic album we’ve all been waiting for.
I’d first seen Counterfeit Jeans play at Up+Downtown music festival at the FreeMasons Hall in Edmonton. A venue I was so stoked to see the inside of. What a cool hall party vibe they had going on. Counterfeit Jeans opened the show for Astronoid, Zeal and Ardor, and Brant Bjork DJ set. They played such a stellar opening set that really set the tone for the night. The way the sound carried through the FreeMasons Hall… it reverberated through every corner, awakening any sleeping spirits in the place. Counterfeit Jeans sounded wild and their live show was nothing short of awesome. I drew so much inspiration from watching them play that night. Thank you for that.
Now without further adieu, the new album titled, Junior Capitalists by Counterfeit Jeans…
“Isolation” starts it off with a gentle buzzing, and humming then it reaches a peak of screeching sounds of metal before jumping into the music. The experimental guitar riffs with long delays and distortions are reminiscent of the grunge style of guitars of Sonic Youth, and Soundgarden. The gorgeous vocals with its grunge elements. Counterfeit Jeans are all about pushing boundaries with sound. It can be beautiful and still rough around the edges. That’s what makes them so rad in my mind!
“Optimistic” has a cheerier feel. I love the melody. Hopeful and bright. Like everything endured and still coming out alive and on top. Lots of warm layering with the vocals gives it a cozy depth. I always enjoyed hearing Gauthier’s vocal stylings. I sure like how the vocals were mixed for this track too. Lots of good work coming out of Railtown Mastering I’ve noticed lately. I dig the slow part too. The drums have such a nice full sound on this track even the small clicking of the drumsticks hitting the rim and the building up… nice texture and full sound. Nice to hear the Bass really shine through on this track too.
“Nausea” starts with guitar and some off key notes here and there giving life to the title.
“Nausea.. can’t get out the door
Nausea.. can’t take anymore”
You’ll be sure to enjoy the sweet guitar lick in the middle there. I hope I can solo like that one day! I find I can relate to this one. I recently changed jobs. Less money and less stress was a better choice for me at this time. No job is worth being getting sick over. You know yourself best and sometimes a change can be the best thing for your body, mind, and spirit.
All in all Junior Capitalists by Counterfeit Jeans was well worth the wait! They still got the schreeching and squelching grunge style I dig. Takes you back to early 90’s sound. Staying true to their original vision and sound. I dunno about you but I just love these Counterfeit Jeans! All broken in. Worn out in all the right spots. The frayed edges. A perfect fit! Get a copy of Junior Capitalists and check out our all the music on Bandcamp. You’ll be glad you did!
Love Always,
Green Noreen
Beach Body
Walking Holiday // We Are Busy Bodies
Regina, SK band, Beach Body, has recently put out their debut full-length album, Walking Holiday. The eight-track release is full of dreamy surf-rock pop and smooth vocals that is sure to whisk you away to another world.
Prior to the album, they released a couple of tracks that seem to continue to be the most popular off the album, and for a good reason. The first single, “Almost Summer”, is the highlight of the album in my opinion. It starts off with a xylophone that sounds like the soundtrack from a fairytale set in the clouds. This fairytale has no evil queens or bad magic though, it’s simply a bunch of blobs high in the clouds (read that as you will), having the time of their life. I would love to be one of those blobs with no worries, listening to Beach Body’s new album, living out my own magical fairytale.
The second single released, “Alex”, comes with a wholesome music video that gives a glimpse into the personality of the band. Shot like a home video, it includes snippets of them recording the track as well as scenes from their life such as fishing and attempting to climb trees, hard emphasis on attempting. The video really captures their fun, goofy personality, making it an awesome addition to the release.
Both singles did a great job introducing the album and give an accurate taste of their super laid-back sound. Walking Holiday is similar to their other releases, but takes the serenity of their music a step further, creating a truly dream-like state with vocals and bright guitar.
Another highlight for me is the album closer, “Wild Flowers”. The track really leans into the slow tempo, soft instrumental vibe, which they execute wonderfully. This is one of the tracks that almost transforms their sound into a new, even softer territory, away from the surf-rock pop. It fits them well and was a great choice as the closer.
Walking Holiday is definitely worth a listen. It’s sure to capture your attention while making you feel light and airy. Float up to the clouds and live out your dreamy fairytale during the 32 minutes this album plays.
- Holly-Anne Gilroy
