Trench Coast – ‘Drinks’

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The debut album from Berlin-based act Trench Coast, Drinks presents a heady immersion that tactfully infuses gentle bass lines, trickling guitars, and atmospheric synth tones — along with the occasional vocal emergence. The release is a standout success, compelling in both its soundscapes and knack for satiating structural momentum.

The opening “Dau Sarriv” puts on a clinic in momentum, venturing from spacey pulses into mellow guitar tones, and then a post-punk bass-y feeling alongside an arp-friendly synth impact. Hints of spaghetti-western guitar twangs linger in the background. The subsequent “Packs” is another standout, revealing lushly impactful vocals alongside a hazy synth presence and trickling guitars. Again, the climactic appeal is palpable, making for a ghostly textural effect as gentle vocals, synths, and guitars converge seamlessly.

Drinks features a multitude of highlights beyond, with “Boris Bay” stirring in its more ominous-feeling, industrial soundscape. Nocturnal synth sputters and a steady percussive beat craft an otherworldly and entrancing atmosphere, reminding fondly of British Sea Power’s score on Disco Elysium. Also impressing is the effervescent pulsations within the title track and the spacey synth-pop glow of “Melibu.” Drinks touts an abundance of atmospheric, beautiful intrigue.

“Packs” and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Best of November 2023’ Spotify playlist.

We discovered this release via MusoSoup, as part of the artist’s promotional campaign.

Mike Mineo

I'm the founder/editor of Obscure Sound, which was formed in 2006. Previously, I wrote for PopMatters and Stylus Magazine.

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