Debut marks a memorable new direction for John Beckmann, the songwriter and producer behind The Mortal Prophets, who steps away from the microphone to build Utopia PKWY around vocal contributions from Tanner McGraw and Lawson Mars. Moving into brighter synth-pop and psychedelic territory, Beckmann’s solo-crafted arrangements pair radiant keyboards, warped pop hooks, and adventurous instrumental touches with themes of memory, reinvention, and youthful possibility.
Delighting in its expanse from debonair intrigue to emotive pop immersion, “I Knew You Would Be Trouble” opens the album in captivating form. “Caught me off guard with your rebel heart, you walked in like a siren, pulling me in,” suave vocals narrate with smitten qualities, ascending in pitch with gripping momentum in the “restless journey on a one-way road” line. Whirring, spacey synth effervescence takes hold around midpoint, showcasing the project’s knack for both emotive introspective and bursting hookiness. Ensuing track “Sleep In Moving Colors” succeeds in a similar atmospheric realm, with grooving bass and calming vocals building to an expanse of glistening electronics.
An especially melodic standout that consumes in its mixture of stylish pop and heavier vigor, “If I Could Steal One More Kiss” excels with an opening vocal proclamation — “time is all I got tonight” — and subsequent plea to “steal one more kiss, before we say goodbye.” Buzzy guitar movements and sturdy rhythms move briskly as the vocals let out emotively that “we’re falling through space” — though, in the process, finding a type of unrivaled, divine love in their beloved’s eyes. That hook is replay-inducing in the excellent vocal presence and twinkling synth addition, maneuvering seamlessly amidst the chugging bass drive. The following minute invigorates with ardent progressions, emitting an anthemic, stomping rock/pop synergy with shades of Muse. The track is a tour-de-force success, succeeding in its melodic charisma and thematic hold, emitting ruminations on memory, desire, and emotional transformation.
“What Disappears” is another exemplary piece of pop songwriting. “Nothing breaks, nothing completes,” dreamy vocals let out, shifting seamlessly between accompaniments of lusher bass-forward contemplation and rousing vibrancy; the production and vocal styling here is fondly reminiscent of Hot Chip, particularly in the well-produced stutter-y vocal build to the delectable “nothing breaks” hook. A sitar-y tone leads a particularly absorbing bridge, as well. Also enthralling is “Fall Into You,” where active percussive glimpses and head-nodding bass infuse with serene vocals, its “no reasons, no answers, just waves passing through” embrace of the unknown progressing into an enchanting final minute, which like “What Disappears” shows shades of South Asian musical influence amidst its accessible electro-pop sleekness. Debut is an excellently catchy, well-produced display of artful pop from Utopia PKWY.
