Moody synths and charismatic guitar work intertwine grippingly on the fantastic “Holding Pattern,” the debut single from London-based duo Max Macready. A love for sci-fi films, specifically those from John Carpenter, melds with synthwave and post-punk inspirations for a sound that struts both atmospheric intrigue and melodic immediacy. Max Macready describe “Holding Pattern” as “about reading all the right signals, but hesitating at the edge of connection.”
The track begins with slight synth whirring and a transmission-like vocal sample, counting down with climactic allure as the buzzing synths and sturdy rhythmic pulse converge into a debonair vocal feeling. The lyrical references within to the “neon maze” and “watching the night flow by” invokes a nocturnal setting, as does the fusing of various synth layers. Aesthetically, it resembles a fond cross of Cut Copy and Chromatics.
An ensuing “calling the number now, will it connect somehow?” vocal questioning gives way to a thrilling guitar-fronted sequence, where an ’80s-friendly solo builds cohesively amidst the synth-friendly undercurrent. Twinkling electronic tones maneuver in as the guitars fade and the “we’re in a holding pattern” declaration re-emerges. Another vocal-sample countdown then moves into a sating finale. “Holding Pattern” is a fantastic, immersive debut from Max Macready.
—
This and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.
We discovered this release via MusoSoup.
