PacificUV-After The Dream You Are Awake (Mazarine)

I first interviewed PacificUV leader Clay Jordan back in October, my first time really enjoying and hearing this band, and here they are with a new record and new band member. Laura Solomon, poet and vocalist, adds gorgeous textures to the group’s hazy, dazy electropop. It is not a mistake that they sound more alive than ever, as they step things up for the catchy “Russians”.

For me, it’s not so much the message as the sound that gets me. Especially when you hit perfect summer songs like “American Lovers”. It just floats along and makes you fly with it as you drive along, breezes lifting your hair from your shoulders as you hum along. It’s the kind of pop confection that makes me want to continually hit repeat. And despite its modern trappings of glittering synths and a happy shiny melody, it is akin to vintage radio from the 80s. So many faceless synth pop bands left me cold, but if they sounded like this, I’m sure I’d feel differently. Dare I say that this song even veers into Still Corners territory with this summery tune? In any case, I hear many different things as I listen, and it’s all good. I’m also quite keen on the sleepy, “I Think It’s Coming”, sung by new member Laura.

The whole record passes through my mind like a dream, and only stumbles on Billy Idol’s oft-covered, “Eyes Without a Face”. With songs as good as “American Lovers”, the band doesn’t need to waste bandwidth on covers. All in all, a very satisfying new release from Clay Jordan and company.