The year is 2016 and music has never been easier to access. It can be shared from practically anywhere around the world, on hundreds of different platforms. Thousands of artists now live and die by the internet.
Artists have found new ways to bring their art to life, one of which is the power of crowdsourcing, an increasingly commonplace action allowing new and independent artists to create their music with the support of those most eager to listen.
London’s indie-pop trio, Passion Bel Canon, has cultivated a dedicated following since forming in 2013 which allowed them to launch a successful Kickstarter campaign, raising enough funds to allow them to record their debut EP, “Lights.”
If one were to guess where Passion Bel Canon’s Kickstarter funds were spent, it is undoubtedly the production. The sound on “Lights” is as crisp and clear as any major label release, if not more so. While this may be Passion Bel Canon’s first major release, they are without a doubt a band that knows the sound they want.
While labeling them merely as indie-pop is an accurate descriptor, it is also a bit restricting. Passion Bel Canon finds its groove in the synthesis of the contrasting elements of folk and electronic music. Traditional acoustic guitar and loud powerful drums are mixed with a host of colorful synth sounds, resulting in the band’s own distinct texture. “Lights” is at its best when these two unlikely sonic components are combined to create something new. This can be heard on shimmering open track, “Fire.”
Throughout the EP, two consistencies serve as the glue which holds together each track: driving, orchestral percussion from Jamie Smith and the soaring, theatrical voice of vocalist Lauren Partridge.
Partridge’s contribution on vocals is undeniably the stand-out aspect of “Lights.” They soar passionately through every track on the record, comparable to talented female vocalists such as Florence Welsh or Kate Bush. Paired with the consistently top notch and eccentric percussion, both elements play key in giving form to the records dark, billowing atmosphere.
While Passion Bel Canon’s aesthetic is unique enough, the same cannot be said for each individual song. Perhaps too comfortable within their own niche, each song tends to blend together with the next almost too seamlessly. There is not enough distinction to differentiate the four songs from one another. With each track sheathed in the same mysterious tone and wielding a similar danceable beat, they all begin to sound the same after multiple plays.
The same can be said for the record’s vastly unremarkable lyrics. On “Lights,” the lyrical content is put on the backburner in favor of the bands instrumental and tonal strengths.
Regardless of what listeners find enjoyable about Passion Bel Canon’s debut EP, there is something to be said for the fact that it was brought into this world in thanks to the support of their fan base. The ability to crowdsource the money needed to create music is a promising ideal that will continue to benefit upcoming artists in the near future.
