Au Revoir Simone

With Au Revoir Simone, synth and pop go hand in hand. On the trio’s debut LP, The Bird of Music, analog keyboards hum, buzz and oscillate, electrical signals are generated, manipulated and committed to drones and audio tones, and drum machines keep time with light, clicking beats, making for an elegant synth pop design. Yet this Brooklyn-based group are anything but cold, which sets them apart from most other Casio-centric outfits. With rich, warm production and the floating voices of Heather D’Angelo, Erika Foster and Annie Hart, the band keep their vintage technology and sound resonating in a remarkably organic fashion. However, although The Bird of Music shimmers, not all is gold. While the upbeat, hook-heavy dance numbers, such as "Sad Song” and "Dark Halls,” are instantly infectious, the slower, more poignant tracks like "Lark” demand greater patience and, at times, give a less satisfying payoff. However, Au Revoir Simone breathe a refreshing summer air into an often-chilly genre.