Review Summary: A display of fervor and a yearning for affection.
Courage My Love, the Canadian group made up of twin sisters Mercedes and Phoenix Arn-Horn, initially made waves in the pop punk scene. However, with their album "Synesthesia," they took a bold turn into the realms of pop rock, alternative rock and synthpop. The production on the album is stunning, blending dreamy nocturnal synths with a crisp, modern sound. The overall approach is quite dramatic, with dark synths evoking a sense of longing for a partner. The opening track, "Animal Heart," features an expansive soundscape, and the chorus is packed with catchy synths, especially the one that harmonizes with Mercedes' vocals.
Many tracks showcase impressive vocal performances, with "Drowning" standing out as Mercedes really pushes her voice, and it pays off beautifully. Lyrically, "Synesthesia" leans heavily into romance. "Two Headed Monster" particularly shines with lines like, "well baby our kind of love, is a two headed monster," perfectly capturing the complexities of relationships that don’t always meet expectations. Some lyrics might come off as a bit cheesy, like in "Animal Heart" with "bare our teeth howling at the moon, ah-woOoOoo," but they still have a nice charm. The chorus line "can you feel my animal heart" presents an affectionate analogy between love and primal instincts, which, although somewhat reminiscent of furry themes, is endearing.
Naturally, having a pop rock influence, there is quite a bit of vibrant flair throughout, and you can feel the energy buzzing throughout. Sure, some tracks like "Dirt," might come off as a bit repetitive—it's a decent song, but it doesn't really stand out. On the other hand, "Tough Love" is packed with an electric energy that's hard to resist. It has a classic synth pop feel with those cheerful synths that remind you of the iconic "Take On Me" by a-ha. They’ve really put their own spin on that rhythm, making it feel fresh instead of just a rehash. The chorus is super catchy, and it’s a challenge not to dance along with it.
The drumming is also spot on, with Phoenix delivering some straightforward yet impactful beats. The drum grooves sometimes incorporate e-drum pads, which really adds to that dreamy, nighttime synth pop style. She also harmonizes with her sister occasionally and even takes the lead on vocals at times. It's pretty wild how much she can sound like Mercedes; there are moments when she sings lead, and you might not even notice because it's so similar. This is especially true in their more recent work with the shoegaze-influenced Softcult. Still, she does an awesome job complementing her sister, creating vocal harmonies that really enhance the overall performance.
The synths evoke a sense of nostalgia, reminding listeners of simpler times in their youth. Lights' "Little Machines" has a similar feeling, and "The Year I Disappear" features lovely ambient guitar that creates a spacious atmosphere for listeners to immerse themselves in. The album flows really well, moving between quieter moments and bigger ones, and each transition feels just right. Then there's "Stereo," which is probably the catchiest track, but it still hits hard. Those ambient synths create a rich atmosphere, and the chorus is brilliantly crafted. It really connects, especially when Mercedes hits that "out of control" line in her head voice—it gives you chills. Sure, "Synesthesia" is a big shift from what the band has done before, but it’s done really well, mixing alternative rock and synth pop in a way that often gets overlooked.
