Pool
Having pared down from a full band to whatever frontman Aaron Maine can fit in his Manhattan apartment, Porches shift their sound from rustic indie-rock to minimal, melancholic synth pop—a change that only illustrates how identifiable Maine’s voice and songwriting is to begin with. Channeling the detached romanticism of ‘80s heroes Depeche Mode and New Order (“Braid,” “Car”) alongside canny distillations of soft rock and trance (“Pool,” “Shaver”), *Pool* sustains a mood at once cozy and chilly, hinting at depth but staying alluringly at arm’s length.
On Pool, Aaron Maine has shed the murky folk of previous recordings for a homespun electronic sound that consciously pulls away from the "rock" elements. Greta Kline, who fronts Frankie Cosmos, loans backing vocals or basslines to many of the best songs. You can imagine the shy kids dance parties the album will soundtrack, but Pool is also an introspective record, tailormade for lonesome nights.
The monosyllabic track titles are reminiscent of a game of I-Spy, with the implication of getting distracted, a deliberate one.
'Pool' by Porches, album review by Graham Caldwell. 'Pool' comes out on February 5th via Domino Records. The current single is "Hour" and is now streaming.