Austin, Texas-based duo Millennium Resorts deftly balance spacey electronic soundscapes and moody guitar work throughout In the Key of David. Previously releases single “The Big Show” caught our ears late last year with its buzzing electro-pop with psychedelic prog-rock immersion, and the rest of In the Key of David succeeds with similarly compelling atmospheric and melodic pursuits.
“There are several musical themes that intertwine and call back to each other developing through the album all the way up to the end. It really is the old idiom that the sum is greater than the parts,” the duo of Scott Raulie and Jonathan Richerson explain. Their eclectic inspirations show proudly throughout. An act like Slowdive is one noted inspiration, with the eerie and dreamy guitar tones on “Eternal Rest” reminding of them and Radiohead. Elsewhere, “Obscene” meshes stylish synth-pop fervency with a darkening post-punk tilt, emphasizing the project’s ability to mesh rock inspirations with ’70s and ’80s prog-rock and cinematic synth inner-workings.
Spanning over 12 minutes, “Identity Theft” is an epic highlight as well. Sparse synth highlights quickly excel to trickling percussive effects and a sense of foreboding momentum. Vocals emerge with melodic intrigue, enveloping alongside the expressive synth tones. Atmosphere is palpable throughout the album, and the vocals appear with tactful precision — often understated in their structural implementation, though consistently effective. “Lonely Days” is a ghostly success that also incorporates vocals effectively, haunting in its ascent from murky guitars to chilling synth-forward envelopments as the lyrics watch a “beautiful sky tonight.” In the Key of David is an enveloping atmospheric success from Millennium Resorts.
—
“Alpha” and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.
