Chloe March ‘Orpheus Head’ Reviewed at Crackling Vinyl
‘Orpheus Head’ is the second single to be lifted from Chloe March’s third full length record Nights Bright Days.
Based in the South East of England, March’s dream pop like approach to her craft, which also dips into the world’s of ambient electronica and folk, is clearly evident during this near five minute etheral experience.
March’s soft vocal delivery floats rather effortlessly over the song’s multiple instrumental textures, as well as its driving – yet at times still tender – tempo. There is more than a hint of the Cocteau Twins on this track, which in itself is another reason to check it out!
There is a rather dark tone that also seems quite prevalent in ‘Orpheus Head’, as March’s lyrics include such haunting lines as: “My body’s drawn to follow you/My heart begins to slow” and “I know where you’re leading me/You’re leading me deep below”.
Nights Bright Days was originally self-released in 2013, but the rather excellent Western Australian based label Hidden Shoal re-released it at the tail end of last year, along with its first single ‘Winter Deep’.
Chloe March vs Markus Mehr EP Reviewed at Igloo Mag
You never know what to expect from Hidden Shoal, post-rock, electronica, ambient, folk, it could be anything; the people operating the Australia-based independent label don’t bind it to just one genre. If it’s good and they like it, they’ll release it. One of the latest gems from Hidden Shoal is a stimulating 4-track, free download EP aptly titled To Set The River On Fire. The concept: two Hidden Shoal artists remix each other’s music, or, set each other’s rivers on fire if you will. English dream-pop artist Chloë March has reconstructed a track from the latest album by German experimentalist Markus Mehr, and vice versa. The results are incendiary and seductive.
Mehr took March’s “Ember” and turned it into a multilayered, futuristic and electrifying beast. The track surges forward savagely, throbbing and twisting, but Mehr has beautifully preserved the caressing expressive charm of the original, in fact, he even intensified it. It’s a cutting edge, erratic sonic roller coaster bursting with electricity, craftiness and otherworldliness. An absolute stunner. March, on the other hand, has set a different kind of fire in Mehr’s minimalist ambient river, “Buoy,” a mystical and slightly dark fire that burns slowly and sensually.
The EP also includes the two original pieces. This collaborative effort really ignites the imagination and will surely leave, and probably has already left, many listeners craving for more. We here at Igloo Magazine would be absolutely thrilled to hear March and Mehr setting more of each other’s rivers on fire, in the form of a full-length album.
Chloe March vs. Markus Mehr EP Reviewed at MFOA
I post a lot of things from the australian imprint hidden shoal, because i like the way they work (they are super open minded and helpful to artists) and the dreamy, high quality music they consistently release. this project is interesting as it is a classic ‘vs’ EP…two artists in the hidden shoal stable remixing each other’s tunes.
here, singer chloe march takes on ambient soundsmith markus mehr, and it’s an auspicious pairing. his feel for sonic textures is a great match to chloe’s instrumental sensibilities and gossamer voice, which is unique and beautiful (i’ve written about chloe a few times and i think i’m running low on adjectives for her special instrument). especially cool is when she steps into markus’ tune ‘bouy’. her voice inhabits the spaces he creates.
Chloe March ‘Oprheus Head’ Reviewed at The Sunday Experience
“We here are more than a mite distressed to find that we’ve somehow mislaid an email received from Chloe March pointing us in the general direction of a new single for I believe – that is if memory serves me right – the much loved Hidden Shoal imprint. Described as ‘sensual dream pop’ – a description so perfect we’ve struggled to better, ‘Orpheus Head’ is one of those rare sublime occasions where the configurations collide and converge in elegiac grace to craft something both enchanting and spellbinding where sophisticat night pop blended upon the distantly vague vestiges of folk, soft soul and down tempo electronica gather to arrest and seduce, for here elements of Linda Perhacs, Serafina Steer, Musetta and Stereolab intertwine with the emotional hush of a youthful Goldfrapp to engage something truly captivating, celestial and magical. Utter bliss in a word.”We here are more than a mite distressed to find that we’ve somehow mislaid an email received from Chloe March pointing us in the general direction of a new single for I believe – that is if memory serves me right – the much loved Hidden Shoal imprint. Described as ‘sensual dream pop’ – a description so perfect we’ve struggled to better, ‘Orpheus Head’ is one of those rare sublime occasions where the configurations collide and converge in elegiac grace to craft something both enchanting and spellbinding where sophisticat night pop blended upon the distantly vague vestiges of folk, soft soul and down tempo electronica gather to arrest and seduce, for here elements of Linda Perhacs, Serafina Steer, Musetta and Stereolab intertwine with the emotional hush of a youthful Goldfrapp to engage something truly captivating, celestial and magical. Utter bliss in a word.