Corbu - Crayon Soul

Inspired by the weird and wonderful - from the beautifully strange cartoon show Adventure Time to the sci-fi mysteries of Interstellar - New York dream pop project Corbu’s debut is a diverse body of work.

Led by frontman Jonathan Graves, alongside creative partner Amanda and Todd Hoellerman on drums, Corbu have long since evolved from the earlier days of Graves’ independent direction. The band’s sound now more viscous, articulate and with purpose; ‘Crayon Soul’ paints an identify of celestial kind but also capturing the raw essence of what electronic music should sound like.

Lead track ‘Polygon Forest’ explodes like an extra-terrestrial siren, spooling all kinds of psychedelic rhythms. The upbeat backdrop and hypnotic vocals in ‘Thought Emptiness’ further emphasis the group’s fearless style while the sonic bounces of ‘Branches’ seize Graves’ fascinations of retro-style video gaming.

With ‘Crayon Soul’’s creativity constantly flowing, it can be difficult at times to pinpoint a location; luckily ‘Better Better Off’ restores some balance with luscious synths and collective guitar strings that echoe summer. Stand out track ‘Battles’; the focal point of the album’s intergalactic journey explores the unknown while challenging the impossible; remaining true to the group’s unworldly artistry.

Hints of Tame Impala and MGMT throughout - no doubt done by the work of mixer David Fridmann - along with Corbu’s mind-boggling artistic vision that go hand-in-hand to bring us one of 2016’s most out-there debuts. ‘Crayon Soul’ is the ultimate escapism, delivering music that’s every bit inspiring as it is original.