Soft Metals

Soft Metals are an electronic duo consisting of vocalist Patricia Hall and her partner, Ian Hicks, based out of Portland, OR. They play a blend of Euro-sounding synth-pop laced with a healthy dose of Krautrock and an acid techno influence. Opening track "Psychic Driving" begins with atmospheric synth washes coupled with an analogue drum machine tapping out a driving Motorik rhythm. The effect is sparse yet commanding, with Hall's vocals sounding somewhat like the late Trish Keenan from Broadcast. Satisfyingly raw, Soft Metals evokes proto-techno synth bands like Visage, and in its more upbeat, poppier moments there's a notable Glass Candy influence. "The Cold World Melts" begins like a John Carpenter soundtrack and then soon builds to acid techno meets synth-pop territory. Soft Metals fits in neatly with the recent slew of chillwave releases, but it's the strong acid techno influence that distinguishes this album from the pack.