PHOX: Their Self-Titled Debut Is Phenomenal

Los Angeles – PHOX’s self-titled debut LP is beyond dreamy — it is cosmic with fluffy ornate tracks that exquisitely travel through the veins and tap the heart.

What makes PHOX’s music so masterful is that the Waraboo, Wisconsin natives don’t fight each other for attention. Lead singer Monica Martin’s gentle, but deep voice is the undeniable star. Her croons are velvety and thick as it carefully builds until it launches into unearthly ranges.

There is nothing sloppy about the instrumentals either. Martin has an almost acapella moment for the album’s first minutes on “Calico Man” that is wonderful, but then her band members lift her up and throw her in the air to soar through the clear-skied, crisp and clean collection. The instrumentals never overshadow, but instead, an effortless arrangement of keys, acoustics, drums, and sax dance around her. Each song somehow manages to straddle the line between intimate and powerful while the background sounds never become overly showy— they are perfectly complimentary to her as they carefully churn out darling melodies.

Once Martin proves her grand vocal ability, “Leisure” refreshes the ear like that first quenching gulp of ice cold water. The second track begins with an ascending piano solo and then swirls with a lo-fi drum and a twinkling brass moment. Midway through, an unpredictable electric guitar even thrashes by. There is a surprise at every turning verse with a clean precision in every beat, but it never sounds too mechanical.

The septet’s longtime friendship and tight bond might have something to do with how simply and lovingly each member’s talent plays together on the album. After befriending one another in high school, the group of six shortly separated only to reunite and move in together in Portland. Two years later, the roommates accomplished a bedroom-recorded reel that captured the attention of famed recording engineer Brian Joseph. The Bon Iver producer was so taken with their raw abilities that he guided the entire album.

Surely, the guidance of Joseph helped in the creation of their most popular song, “Slow Motion.” These five minutes are the most gratifying of all while the musicians rattle behind Martin as she tests just how many high notes she can hit and hold. It is the most up-tempo of the mid-tempo collection with whistles that echo above as the banjo’s plucks a few beats behind.

The only complaint to be found on this record is that Martin’s voice is so whole-hearted and the instrumentals are so full, that the lyrics can be forgotten. Martin belts, “Years ago now, couldn’t hold my eyes to the stars/ Burdened by how they slept so far away/ I see now this is better in so many ways/ All the glitter is fire, burns the skin and leaves you with haste.” A closer listen reveals a philosophical touch and it is just a shame that they may not be fully recognized.

The collaboration of equally tremendous instrumentals, vocals, and hidden evocative lyrics means PHOX exceeds all expectations as each note layers on top of the other to deliver a near-perfect debut. If this kindly complex combination is what they have for us on their first compilation, it is certain their music knows no bounds.

PHOX is currently on tour. Visit their website to see when they will be performing in your town.

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Ariela Kozin

Ariela was born and raised on Los Angeles' creative hunger and booming sounds. She grew up humming the Joni Mitchell and Bob Dylan records her mother played on repeat until a driver's license gave her the freedom to obsessively explore the live music scene. It only seemed natural that when Ariela went to journalism school, she paired her love of writing with her passion for discovering amazing new music.