Adoria is not a band; it is a story, or so the accompanying blurb claims. It tells of that age-old first step of musicians throughout history, the advertisement, that random call for like-minded musicians that has launched so many music careers. Six potential parties became three, three finally became two, bonds were forged, plans hatched, and eventually music was made, made under the fearless and fantastic motto of “‘why not, let’s try it and see’” What better creative manifesto can there be?
Taken from the eponymous debut album, “Going Round” is a rewarding first taste of their beguiling, lateral-thinking brand of synthy soundscaping, dark, resonant dreampop, gentle trip-hop grooves, and a vocal that hovers between spoken word and more traditionally sung vocals.
In a way, the music is a soundtrack to itself, a musical duo using their no-holds-barred, see where it takes us approach to tell a story, and the story it has to tell is the story of themselves. There is an element of Kate Bush to the vocals, especially when Helene pushes into the higher ranges; there is also a vibe of Bat For Lashes in the hypnotic sonics that those words dance on. But by and large, this is a new sound, or at least a very fresh take on something that you feel that you might half remember.
This is what happens when you are making music with no agenda, when you are happy to ride the sonic surf to see where it takes you, and when you make music in the ebb and flow of new ideas and genuine enthusiasm, with relatively new people.
It’s how everyone should approach the blank canvas of music-making. don’t you think?
