FORMER GHOSTS - Fleurs

Former Ghosts is the synthpop-inspired band formed and led by Freddy Ruppert (of This Song Is A Mess But So Am I) and consisting of Jamie Stewart (of Xiu Xiu) and Nika Roza (of Zola Jesus). The album sweeps through you with its sweet melodic side, sprinkling in sharp, chaotic, discordant moments -- as if to punish you for having enjoyed yourself, for having let your guard down. Dreams plays through with melodies and textures reminiscent of early synth-pop, kept alive with the warm heart-like thumping of the synthetic kick drum. Freddys (This Song Is A Mess But So Am I) vocals crawl low through the hallucinatory soundscape, led on by the gentle buttering of Jamies back-ups in the chorus. Jamies (Xiu Xiu, etc) influence on the album enters obliquely, buttering some of the albums harder edges, organizing the sometimes disoriented moments of glitch and electro-mania. He plays an unfamiliar role -- softer, more understated (in his particular context) -- but in his familiar style. Starring solo on I Wave, youre drawn into the springy synths, cushioned by his smooth voice--the track is almost a reprieve from heavier textures found elsewhere in the album. On white vinyl. -Upset The Rhythm