Pure X (formerly known as Pure Ecstasy) are an Austin, Texas trio who perform breezy, apathetic rock, closely drifting between shoegaze and ambient. Two years after their first self-released EP and a number of singles, Pure X have made a few changes. They've abbreviated their ever suiting title, and successfully developed their originating lush aesthetic into an obscurity of cloud-imbued melodies and instrumentation. Their debut LP is a direct result of that progression, showcasing the trio's gently cascading atmospheres and subtle, barely there arrangements.
During Pleasure's satisfying run, we are introduced to ten songs that are essentially a single entity. Each song features similar elements of reverb-laden guitars and foggy, atmospheric production, yet the album manages to stray away from routine patterns, as it's easy to get lost within its dazed state. That state is in ode to Nate Grace's effortless vocals, which carry a kind of drizzling ambiance throughout the album. On the aptly titled "Heavy Air", he resembles a lovesick Thom Yorke, reaching his subtle pipes through dream-immersed fantasies. Adding to the fantasy are guitarist Austin Youngblood's bountiful psychedelic effects, which are best utilized on the flourishing waves of "Twisted Mirror", while Grace demonstrates his siren-like falsetto.
In many ways, Pleasure is the sound of a band following the atmospheric rock of the late '80s and early '90s. Much of the album can be traced to sonic innovators like The Jesus and Mary Chain, Galaxie 500, and Spacemen 3. Although it's not complete emulation; it's a band wearing their influences on their sleeves and attempting to develop a unique sound from that, and in this case it yields successful results. With Pleasure, Pure X manage to evolve that sound with a greater emphasis on ethereal-noise and psychedelic ambiance, resulting an effervescent flow of virgining textures, descending slowly down to the grounds from which it came.
[Pure X Website]
[Stream/Buy Pleasure from Acéphale Records]
Awesome track, thanks man!
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