somei - barbarella (melt away) (Mini-Review)

This year, in an attempt to cover more music that would all-too-oft slip through the very large cracks, we're trying something new and novel around these parts. Namely, we're gonna actually publish the little one-off reviews that were previously (and arbitrarily) deemed too short for publication. In that spirit, here's a mini-review of a dreamy single worth checking out.

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Written by: The Administrator 

If there's a single constant here at ye olde Sleeping Village, it is that I will inevitably devour anything that spawns from the creative universe of Richmond's own Jason Roberts. Besides being the mastermind behind Breaths--a band that I enjoy quite a bit, as evidenced by our multiple track premieres over the years--Jason has since started a new band with a pitch that is frankly tantalizing: "somei blend shoegaze and dream pop elements with doom and sludge metal in a way that is accessible and refreshing." I'm pleased to report that said concoction of genres is, indeed, as accessible and refreshing as promised.
 
somei have two tracks available, with today's single in question being my favorite of the two by an admittedly narrow margin. "barbarella (melt away)" brings some doomy yet unconfrontational weight in the riff department alongside a now-trademark vocal levity, both of which serve to cast a dreamy haze--or perhaps glow--over the track as a whole. Whereas most bands that dabble in the realm of doom and sludge tend to feel intrinsically earthbound, somei leans into the ethereal, evoking the feeling of floating through cloudy skies in a hot air balloon. Outside of overtly shoegaze-y projects such a Slowdive, the closest point of comparison I have might be something like Hum, if they traded a certain sense of grounded stoicism for a more blatantly delicate tone. Despite the gentle vocal delivery, there's a uniquely somber vibe at play, like I'm sipping the nectar of melancholia. In terms of the track itself, the chorus is hooky as hell, and the track ramps up the heavy riffage towards the end for an outro that leans into the heft.

While not typically one who watches music videos, the video for this particular track does reflect that doleful tone quite well through striking use of purples and yellows. I highly recommend watching/listening, the video truly does elevate the experience. While I do wish somei had more tracks available at this point, I'll certainly be giving this track (and its companion b-side, the excellent "Shaken") some quality time in rotation. Find it on bandcamp here!

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somei can be found:
Bandcamp