Zanias : "Chrysalis"

 

The third album from the Australian siren finds her weaving a web with a more atmospheric take on  darkwave, that I am sure has a dozen other sub-genre's the kids still on Tumblr have come up for it. There is an honesty to her lyrics that adds a more human element to the otherwise cosmic sound that the opening track encompasses you with. The second song finds the beat more in the forefront with the vocals swirling around it rather than grabbing you with hooky melodies, though it still works well enough in that state. "Burial" however is a better song as the vocals are back in the pocket with memorable melodies to ensnare you with.

"Lovelife" feels like it's more of a club track, as the instrumentation jams on while the vocals seem like more of window dressing that has little purpose except to add to the ambiance. She finds more of a middle ground between glow stick booty shaking and pop hooks for "Closing" . The chanted vocal flourishes have more rhyme and reason, allowing them to haunt your ears in a manner that inspires repeat listens. The elephant on the dance floor that needs to be addressed here, is yes, this does sound a great deal like Grimes, though the more melancholy moments that come from her vocally , help to provide distance from this comparison, but it is still there. 

The strum of guitar helps break things up a bit dynamically for the more deliberate beat of "Teatree" . There is more for the vocals to latch onto melodically rather than just floating around like a ghost. Not to say there is less atmosphere the vocals are just given more focus which is what they deserve. "Departure" takes more time to simmer in the ethereal . Dynamically it feels like a great of what we have already heard on this album , but some how still works. The title track brings in a strum of guitar not unlike the one used on "Teatree", while I appreciate things moving in a more organic direction that could be replicated by an actual band, things are still colored heavily in the same shade of bi-lighting. I will give this album an  8.5, and see how it grows on me, I like how she uses her voice as an instrument and adds to the atmosphere , if you like dark wave when it collides with dream pop then this album will be for you.