★★★★
Sincereis a short but sweet addition to the cruisy sounds of Melbourne duo Alta.
The EP is is exactly what it says on the tin: a sincere set of mellow grooves and hypnotic vibes that needs only a decrease in penetration from R&B drum machines to achieve must-have status as a chill addition to your summer soundtrack.
‘Unbelievable’ is indeed unbelievable – an excellent platform of synthesizers and percussive sounds gives rise to vocalist Hannah Lesser’s rich and sultry sound, while her raspy voice with its intentionally cracked tone pushes heavy on the feels. The gentle pulse of the first single ‘Plans’ carries an interesting urgency that is only complemented by experimental instrumentals. Standout track ‘Mess’ can be described as nothing but a beautiful culmination of levelled-out vocals and instruments thanks to a production that has as much soul as the performers.
There’s a heavy dose of contradiction between the track names and their moods; what you hear is pleasantly different from what you expect. It’s only the EP title that rounds it all up and proves true to its name.
Sincere leaves room for interpretation without detracting from the ethereal enjoyment of what’s been created.
Alta’sSincereis out now via Soothsayer.
