Review Summary: A gorgeous summer daydream
As a newcomer to both ODESZA and Yellow House, it's tough to speak to the strengths of either artist. However, I do know that
Flaws in Our Design is a magical pairing; ODESZA (Harrison Mills, Clayton Knight) provide the electronic ambiance upon which Yellow House (Emile van Dango) lays down his beauteous vocal harmonies. Imagine a locale on the musical plane that is equidistant from Tame Impala, Animal Collective, and The Beach Boys – that's roughly where
Flaws in Our Design resides. This EP is smooth, poppy, and infectious, but also mesmerizing, lush, and transportive...it's a gorgeous summer daydream.
ODESZA and Yellow House are at their collective best when they're leaning into those warm, hazy vibes. 'Waiting Forever' is a swaying melodic diamond that wouldn't have sounded out of place on Panda Bear and Sonic Boom's 2022 EP
Reset, and its summery atmosphere is matched only by the blissful, spacious nirvana of 'Undone'. 'Easy Money' is the natural single of the bunch, with a dancefloor beat and an instant dopamine hit chorus; despite its extremely accessible nature, it manages to feel right at home alongside its more softly spoken counterparts. Another low-key highlight is 'Dissolved in a Daydream' which, despite being nothing more than an interlude, plunges your senses right into
Flaws' bleary, sun stained aura.
Even the less memorable cuts here still play an essential role, with 'Heavier' effortlessly adhering to the EP's atmospheric hue while the eponymous closer displays a sonic breadth and level of stylistic exploration that's unmatched elsewhere. Taken as a whole, there's nary a
weak moment. The entire thing functions as one cohesive experience, with the only real downside being that it's perhaps a retread of popular and already conquered styles...but can you ever truly have enough breezy, tropical tunes to be spellbound by? If your answer is no, then
Flaws in Our Design will deliver you another essential dose of the season.
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