REVIEW: Aves - ‘Transformations’ Album
Formed by Antti Ojala, Joonas Hakava, and Eino Anttila; Aves is a Helsinki-based trio known for their blend of synth pop and dreamy electronic melodies. They are back with Transformations, an immersive ten-track album that delves deep into the realms of personal metamorphosis.
It starts with the evocative electronic soundscape of "Silent Solitude." Featuring Markus Perttula, his rich baritone adds emotional power, perfectly complementing Aves' skill for patient musical world-building. Throughout the track's lengthy runtime, intricate interplay between moments of shadow and light trade off, with radiant melodies emerging before receding back into the mix. The production is top-notch, with Aves opting for an impressionistic, cinematic sweep that sustains intrigue through subtly manipulated textures and a range of electronics juxtaposed against organic instrumentation.
Following, we find "Gem of the Ocean" featuring JFDR, where music flows majestically, combining gentle synths and steady percussion to create an almost explosive effect. The track brims with a potent mix of joy and heartache, displaying a quiet ecstasy within its apparent predictability. It gives the song a sense of confidence and intimacy, like a private moment shared between lovers and JFDR's soft and hypnotic vocals further enhance this feeling.
The album's focus track, "Not Go Home", features the talented Lake Jons. Here, Aves masterfully blends sultry 70s motifs with scintillating electro-pop structures, resulting in a track that explores the complexities of identity and longing.
Throughout Transformations, Aves demonstrate a keen understanding of the power of sound to evoke emotion and provoke thought. The album blends Aves' signature dreamy and tropical soundscapes with fresh and diverse influences for our greatest pleasure.
WHERE TO FIND AVES
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