No matter the musical project, Peter Ricq has proven time and again that his attention to groove is one of his biggest strengths when writing and recording. That much is true of this latest work from Gang Signs, a trio Ricq has said allows him to do things he can't as one half of Humans. Though the instrumentation is much different than that of the aforementioned dance duo, courtesy of drummer Adam Fink and vocalist/keyboardist Matea Sarenac, Ricq and company still make obvious moves towards the dance floor in infectious fashion with "So Long" and "Stay Awake."
They're in no rush to get there; unfortunately, the band opt to play through some too-calculated, repetitive arrangements en route to these groovier cuts (the back-to-back sequencing of "Silver" and "Back Up" tends to drag a bit, in particular). The minimal arrangements do well to suit Ricq's relatively expressionless vocal delivery, though it grows a little wearisome over nearly 50 minutes of music. Saving his bass-y tones from complete monotony are Sarenac's harmonies, which join him a few octaves higher. "Tonight" and "Heist" also showcase her skill as a solo vocalist, with the latter truly pushing Ricq to new heights in a late moment of bass-driven vigour.
(File Under: Music)They're in no rush to get there; unfortunately, the band opt to play through some too-calculated, repetitive arrangements en route to these groovier cuts (the back-to-back sequencing of "Silver" and "Back Up" tends to drag a bit, in particular). The minimal arrangements do well to suit Ricq's relatively expressionless vocal delivery, though it grows a little wearisome over nearly 50 minutes of music. Saving his bass-y tones from complete monotony are Sarenac's harmonies, which join him a few octaves higher. "Tonight" and "Heist" also showcase her skill as a solo vocalist, with the latter truly pushing Ricq to new heights in a late moment of bass-driven vigour.