People Press Play

VINYL FORMAT. The art of understatement, likeable and restrained. That is how the self-titled debut by People Press Play begins. Synthetic sounds form echo-loops that, in a very similar way, could easily stem from Kevin Shields' guitar as well. Rhythms take a deep breath, a woman's nonchalant voice changes between relaxed jazz and reduced easy listening. My Bloody Valentine and "My Funny Valentine." Four people - Sara Savery, Anders Remmer, Jesper Skaaning and Thomas Knak - and their careful game with sounds. The ingredients are well-chosen, the atmosphere is intimate, close to the ear. There is a passion for repetitive structures, duplication. This album required intensive time in the studio, with analog instruments and digital resources always having an equal rank. Sound and songwriting go hand-in-hand, as well as a passion for dub and Steve Reich or Brian Eno's minimal concept music. Digital and analog moments really find each other and each sound is important, not only as an ornament. "Always Wrong" is a melancholy affair of the heart, surrounded by murmuring nuances and electronic folk from the echo chamber.

"These Days" is electro-pop with clear outlines, pushing, elegant and oscillating. Finally, there is "Stop," with its weightless wall of sound and a white, roaring bass guitar within the surf.