Los Angeles – Don’t feel too bad if, despite being active since 2010, the name Keep Shelly In Athens comes as a complete unknown. The Greek group deals mainly in singles and remixes; they were signed by Forest Family Records, the label founded by one of the biggest names in the (now bust) late 00’s/early 10’s buzz blog boom, Gorilla vs. Bear. The duo is just now seeing the light at the end of the blogosphere-induced hype tunnel, ready with a new group of tracks in the form of Now I’m Ready. Unsurprisingly for a more singles-based band, the LP is uneven and at-times has a slightly incongruous feel; luckily it packs a punch in several spots throughout its quick 39 minute run time with songs tailor-made for a “chill party playlist.”
In fact, Now I’m Ready itself has a feel not unlike a typical indie/electronic-pop playlist. The producer / vocalist duo dabble in several of the most popular niche genres within the electro/indie-pop umbrella. While there is a general sense of connectivity between the eight tracks heard on the band’s sophomore release, there is quite a bit of stylistic appropriation of contemporary artists. This appropriation treads the line between aping and homage, for the most part falling closer to the latter, more earnest approach. There are times the listener will stop in their tracks and wonder “this song sounds just like something I know,” unable to definitively put a finger on what the song bears semblance to.
Keep Shelly in Athens arrive at this second full-length with 50% of the full-time lineup turned over; gone is original vocalist and RΠЯ-collaborator Sarah P. For this record, producer RΠЯ brought in another ambiguously named vocalist, Myrtha. The group has collaborated with and remixed songs by artists like Porcelain Raft, MMOTHS, and Tycho, among others; many of these collaborators are a nice approximation for what the songs on Now I’m Ready have to offer. There are soothing vocal tones, shimmering barely there guitars, prominent keyboard riffs and synthesizers abounding, and a steady mildly danceable beat. While these songs do not have much of a place in the contemporary mainstream music scene, they have the kind of pulsating hooky-ness that got some dance-synth groups quasi-hits in the 80’s and 90’s.
The chorus of “Now I’m Ready” features one of the earliest of such moments, with a pumping beat and Myrtha’s uplifting, angelic female vocalization. The song swirls around its main motif, hitting its hypnotic zenith nearly four minutes in with repetitive, layered chants of “Now I’m ready” before suddenly fading out. That the song only includes its biggest hook once while managing to be captivating and attention-holding speaks to the songwriting and production abilities of this Greek duo. As they say, to be a great songwriter, leave them wanting more.
The album’s opener and first single is a bit of an odd-ball amongst these mostly dark and depressed electronic-based tunes. The first instrument heard on the album is a crystalline guitar, enhanced with several layers of chorus and gentle reverb, and the song progresses into what sounds like female fronted dream-pop ala Wild Nothing. While it is one of the most beautiful and memorable songs on Now I’m Ready, it is a bit of misdirection by the group to make it the lead-off track.
“Line 4 (Orange)” is a gloomy mid-tempo electronica track with touches of ancient Mediterranean influence; this stylization can be found in bits and pieces throughout the entire album. “Benighted” has the best beat on the album, a mesmerizing loop that is equal parts suited for electronic-pop as it would be for a hip-hop track. In fact, (and as strange as this may sound) its “chorus” has strong influences from Southern rap, with male vocals creating a “chopped and screwed” dynamic. Album closer “Hunter” blends those aforementioned influences, with tabletop DJ scratching and dark, foreboding atmospherics. Elsewhere, “Hollow Man” ups the tempo, bringing the band closer to true house music.
All in all, this is an album that should see Keep Shelly in Athens continue to grow their audience. While it feels like this sound was most popular a few years ago, there is no doubt that RΠЯ is able to create haunting and memorable sound landscapes that work with any vocalist he brings in.
Keep Shelly in Athens photo by Tolis Elefantis
Matt Matasci
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