Dreamy indie pop with lush harmonised vocals and an intimate fusion of guitar pop and pop-punk in the tone and tempo. LA songwriter and fitness coach Aethereal delivers two of the best indie singles of the season, with the enchanting earworms Love Affair and Fire Fall.
Somewhat refreshingly distinct from the majority of modern pop releases, Aethereal’s music features a nostalgic garage-band kind of reverb-soaked authenticity. The storytelling and structure are as honest and engaging as the musician set-up and style, not least of all for the brilliant single Love Affair. Here we enter a long-form journey meandering through melodies that feel hopeful, and lyrics that feel boldly vulnerable and fearless; in their diary-like reflections on love and modern connection.
From dreamy vocal layers to distorted guitar riffs that kick in at the perfect moment, Love Affair is quite perfectly crafted, noting a nineties alternative aura that’s mildly reminiscent of the likes of Drinking in LA or Steal My Sunshine. The comparison is merely the raw bedroom pop realism, the storytelling, rather than the song itself. Aethereal has crafted something both catchy and fresh, uniquely interesting but still relatable, and the artist puts in a superb performance both musically and vocally to match that.
The approach is also refreshingly modest, as a side note – not over performed, not flashy or showing off, just great songwriting, produced with a certain realness that’s massively needed in modern indie music right now.
Fire Fall has similar strengths but is a completely different kind of song – something more mellow and contemplative, something uncertain, poetic and heartbroken, with a kind of pop-punk or emo meets alt-pop vibrancy that’s addictive in its careful balancing of sadness and uplift.
Lush guitar riffs and vocal harmonies again softly but surely raise the profile of an engaging and honest, humble voice and writing style. Even the keys, the drums, are all subtle but crucial in creating an ambiance and groove that holds you tightly til the end.
Shoulder-swaying good vibes with a heartfelt realism that’s all consuming as the music rains down around you. Fire Fall is quickly familiar, comforting in its capturing of this moment and metaphor, and a brilliant variation from yet also reinforcement of the creative core of all things Aethereal. One to know about this year. Debut album impending.
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