The Sunless Sea - No Ghosts EP (Self-Released)

The Sunless Sea is an indie pop group from Charleston, SC. Essentially the project of vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Witte Crosby, the group’s latest release No Ghosts is an EP of six tender pop songs. Crosby’s soulful, impassioned vocals play delicately over vintage synth sounds, from the preciousness of title track, “No Ghosts,” to songs like “White Lies & Waistlines” that could have easily found themselves on the charts in the 80s. Produced by Manny Sanchez, who has worked with Fall Out Boy, there’s an intimate yet baroque feel to the entire EP, like an orchestra confined to the space of one’s bedroom.

Crosby’s lyrics are incredibly honest and as revealing as they are forward, and the emotions with which he sings, like a modern Marc Almond, are all the more believable because of it. The songs are all intricately structured, and densely layered from the grand orchestral feel of “Closure” to the hair-metal guitars of “Void.” Yet, so as not to forget where his music comes from, the album closes with “XO,” which literally sounds like it was recorded in his bedroom, complete with the sounds of moving microphones and all. No Ghosts is a wonderfully unassuming and passionate work from an artist with a lot to give.