The perfect blend of different genres isn’t something easily attainable. So many artists venture into new expressions, blending their foundational sounds with newer expressions—and end up sounding disjointed, or uninspired at best. I admit I can be particularly picky and somewhat snobby when it comes to bands I revere who blend genres. Zeppelin infusing doo-wop, Rush dabbling in reggae, not their best work for sure. But some bands get it. When Muse goes metal, it almost always leads to very satisfying results. A little indie pop outfit from Seattle, known as Analog Tears, has it too.
The band is essentially a recording project by a guy named Diego HC whose songs venture into shoegaze, dark wave, dream pop, and even my musical lifeblood genre: post punk. On “Gypsy Tears”, HC’s guitar work meanders and scorches, and back and forth. If I can describe the track with one word, it’s hypnotic.
For me, “Gypsy Tears” has an elevating effect. That’s the dream pop side. The song makes me feel like I’m floating, which is quite a nice feeling during busy, somewhat stressful days. Simultaneously, it feels like the guitar parts are breaking and tearing its way through anything in its path with those soaring, laser riffs. That’s very much the post punk side. The whole thing just blends to perfection, never feeling disjointed or, worse yet, skippable. I hope a full length album is in the works soon and wait with anticipation for HC to explore the far reaches of his inspiring genre blend.
"YOUR GAZE,
YOUR SWEAT,
MY TEARS,
PLEASE STAY.”