If you want to know the difference between dream pop and shoegaze, then you could do a lot worse than listen to “Hyperion,” the new one from Head Sound. It is less that they switch between one style and the other, although some fine dynamics are created that way; more, they layer one style on top of the other, allowing both to simultaneously work their individual magic. Opposites that attract? Okay, not quite opposites, but certainly so attractive!
Once the song hits its stride, you can hear the raw, shoegazing walls of noise that form the body of the song, dark, abrasive, and intimidating. Yet above this, the shimmering sonics and delicate motifs that are the hallmarks of dream pop ring out. It’s a bit like the sonic equivalent of Tuvan throat singing, where a sweet and ethereal sound is called up from within the guttural rumble.
And in case you are wondering, the “Hyperion” in question is neither the classical Greek Titan nor the classic sci-fi novel, but the Northern Californian redwood, which is the tallest tree known to exist; in turn, a metaphor for the band’s journey from humble beginnings to creative heights.
It’s a great mix of sounds; along its five-minute sonic parade, it takes in dense soundscapes and chiming beauty, sonorous sonics and deft creative touches, hazy vocals, and strident guitars. It is a fantastic song and a worthy addition, not only to Head Sound’s back catalog but also to your own record collection.
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