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Burnt Hair/Ars Phoenix, "Shinju"
Florida is not known for hosting a secret enclave of synth bands, but this split cassette tape indicates that there are at least a few projects hiding amongst the tourist traps and meth labs. Burnt Hair and Ars Phoenix both work with similar instrumentation but the final product differ drastically between the two. The latter makes for catchy, if a bit bleak, pop songs while the former is depressive, bedroom electronics, resulting in a wonderful combination of similarities and differences.
Being a former resident of the state, these two artists have a sound that suits their geographic locations within Florida.Burnt Hair, from the larger and more inland city of Jacksonville, has a fittingly isolated and lonely sensibility to it.A larger city where the metropolitan and redneck meet is sure to be despairing for any artist.Conversely, Ars Phoenix hails from the east coast of Vero Beach, and their more pop-oriented sound fits the fun and tourist-y feel, at least superficially.But, just like the region itself, there is a distinct darkness that lurks behind the sunny melodies and memorable choruses.
The four songs on Burnt Hair's half of the tape are largely characterized by sparse, dour synthesizer passages and muffled vocals that sound like they were recorded from a closet on the other side of the studio."Tired Fingers Slip" exemplifies this, with the addition of a basic drum program that gives it a lurching sense of rhythm while still retaining an icy character.On "Stems" the duo of Matthew and Trenton Tarpits put a bit more emphasis on the programmed rhythms and a utilize a simple toy piano like melody that goes along way in its frigid, basic structure.The closing "Left to Chance" is the only time that the sound takes on a less depressive character.It may only be in relative terms, but the more pronounced drum machine and louder vocals, combined with the noisier keyboard passages result in a more aggressive, standout piece.
Ars Phoenix, for their four songs, continue to build upon the dark, yet engaging synth pop style they demonstrated heavily on their recent Violet Rain album.The fast pace of "Desiccation" contrasts BH's half of the tape, and while the vocals are echo-laden here as well, they are much more discernible and the duet vocals of Jon Glover andCaitlin Ollinger are just as memorable here as they were on the last album."Beckett’s Row" takes on a slower pace, but with the song’s up front vocals and expansive melodies it results in a very memorable composition.For "Minister Edwards," what sounds like a guitar becomes one of the central instruments, providing an excellent melodic lead and, with its liberal use of reverb, takes on a bit of a shoegaze quality.
The two halves of Shinju may differ in style, but pairing these two artists together makes for a diverse, yet still overall somber release.Burnt Hair's depressive bedroom synth sound hits the spot perfectly on those gray, overcast days, and like their previous album, Ars Phoenix's melodic and catchy sound continues to keep my attention, while still maintaining a sinister undercurrent that gives it significant depth.It may be a bit bipolar, but it is an excellent split tape.
samples:
- Tired Fingers Slip (Burnt Hair)
- Stems (Burnt Hair)
- Desiccation (Ars Phoenix)
- Minister Edwards (Ars Phoenix)
 
