Review Summary: Summer stretching on the grass
Frankly, I would've been pissed had
This Dream been anything but utterly delightful. A band called Sungaze releasing an album with a title that includes the word dream? Seems like ‘gaze heaven, right? Sure, it's a bit on the nose, but thankfully that nose is as much in the clouds as it is staring down at an impressive collection of pedals.
Simply put,
This Dream is 40 minutes of excellently weightless and hazy indie. Expanding upon their equally floaty if somewhat unremarkable debut, the married duo consisting of Ian Hilvert and Ivory Snow present a crystal clear vision. Every element of the record is aimed at accomplishing a wonderfully light atmosphere, adding and subtracting any and all necessary components. As such, the album tilts its scales towards a somewhat unexpected more-is-less approach, yielding surprisingly effective results. 'Change Will Come' adds a distinctive synth line to its framework of reverb-soaked guitars and quiet croons, lifting the song into its desired clouds. The electronic elements are instantly noticeable and mixed with the clear intent of accentuating all that surrounds, yet manages to feel pleasantly detached enough as a whole. Similarly, 'Storm Chaser' ups the gaze-o-meter to eleven by intertwining as many distorted sounds as possible, crafting a beautifully indistinct sonic web that remains entirely memorable through its lingering, mysteriously cute riff.
Employing both musicians’ vocal talents, Sungaze breeze through the record with ease, keeping things fresh at every shrouded turn. Nonetheless,
This Dream’s second half focusing on Snow's angelic hums favours the album immensely. The gorgeous ‘Strength in Softness’ finds itself somewhere in between
Souvlaki and
Pygmalion, carefully treading effectively simplistic, heavenly acoustic guitars aided by any and all cymbal crashes, synth tones, and bass drums necessary to craft its delightful ambience. Such details are hardly noticeable when casually drifting off to
This Dream - to the record’s benefit - but make no mistake, every element is present with the very aim to blend into a gorgeously delicate and comfortable mass off sound. Closer ‘Slow the Burn’ perfectly sums up Sungaze’s sentiment over another distinguishable synth-and-gaze concoction: “
Travel a road / Lonelier than most / I am not afraid”.
Joining the band in their intoxicating fearlessness is all
This Dream asks you to do. Sungaze don’t push any boundaries: they fit comfortably within the dreamy-music perimeters, and excel at this very style. It’s one of the final rays of 2021’s summery sunlight, but it’s a damn bright one.
