There needs to be a more fanfare about this band. I say that as someone who has become more cynical about the preponderance of new shoegaze and dream pop acts as of late. However, London's Deary are doing this sort of thing exactly right. And Aurelia, their newest EP on the fine Sonic Cathedral imprint, is a superb representation of just how to find space in a crowded field, and thrive with distinction.
Ben Easton & Rebecca "Dottie" Cockram draw upon late period Cocteau Twins, early Slowdive, and mid-period Lush for inspiration, I'd say, given a few listens to Aurelia, and yet these two put their own stamp upon this familiar form of tuneage. The languid title cut here sneaks in until a bright chorus bursts out, while "Dream of Me", one of three of these six tracks with drums from Simon Scott (Slowdive, Three Quarter Skies), has a bit more heft to it, hints of Curve creeping into the music on this one. "Selene" earns further points for mixing that heaviness with a soaring melody and hints of New Wave keyboards in the service of a stunning piece of music. As Easton and Cockram guide us through landscapes both blissful and haunting, a listener sort of sinks into the songs on Aurelia as if (willingly) hypnotized.
Given that parts of Aurelia were recorded this year at 4AD studios in London and Bella Union studios in Brighton, one might wonder how much of the magic of the bands of those labels possibly rubbed off on Deary, like some sort of magical transference. I joke because this is just so good, so right, and so smartly done that each of these six numbers here feels as fully realized as anything from the heyday of dream pop, and still sort of timeless too. Easton and Cockram have a deft, light touch, steering this material into a space they've mapped out and charted in their own language. That's a vibe I used to get listening to Cocteaus, or Pale Saints, or early Lush. Deary have it too and this stuff is fantastic in the same way.
Aurelia by Deary is out now via Sonic Cathedral. Details also via the Bandcamp link below.
[Photo: Deary Bandcamp]