GARDENS – review of the album “Flaws”

On the first pass Flaws might sound like a fairly standard, if overblown, indie dream pop record. The album’s sounds and lyrical compositions follow a fairly similar route, and the tracklist moves along without much disruption. However, if you delve deeper into the sound of the band’s debut album, you start to see an incredibly wide range of influences and styles adopted by the Austrian band. For example, tracks like “Turning Tables” feature wonderful, retro 1950s guitar riffs befitting figures like Hank Marvin, although they’re backed by distinct guitar riffs. modern dream pop psychedelia of the rest of the group.

Inevitably, lead singer Luca Selina Müller’s vocal performances are the highlight of the entire performance. Flaws. While their singing style rarely changes, at least not dramatically, throughout the album, these soothing tones serve as the perfect companion throughout the debut. What’s more, Mueller’s vocals pair equally well with the album’s darker, softer songs like “Future” as well as some of the more energetic and brooding anthems like “Help.”

Particularly impressive for debut albumFlaws manages to convey GARDENS’ musical manifesto without making it too monotonous or boring. While many of the songs follow the same sonic route, they are all different enough to maintain audience interest and anticipation. They may not boast the most original sound of all time, but Gardens have certainly succeeded in adding new layers of inspiration to the modern dream pop genre that is long overdue for an update. Their debut album opens up enormous prospects for the development of their musical career, which is definitely worth paying attention to.

For fans: Long trips in the summer, frolicthe vagaries of nature and the general refusal of all adult responsibilities.

Ben’s housemate’s final comment: “I had things I wanted to do today, important things I needed to be prepared for. Now look at me. Sinking deeper and deeper into this rattle, accompanied by the voice of the Viennese dream-pop singer.”

Flaws track by track:

Release date: November 1 | Label: Siluh Records | Producer: GARDENS

“Flaws”: There’s a lot riding on the opening track of a debut album, but GARDENS seem to handle that pressure with ease and grace. “Flaws” is an infectiously laid-back dream-pop anthem that helps breathe new life into an often stale genre. (4/5)

‘Change’: Continuing the theme and structure of the opening track, this song further highlights the band’s penchant for creating effortlessly cool soundscapes. There are also plenty of hints of psychedelia in this song, which help diversify Gardens’ sonic offerings. (3.5/5)

“Rotating tables”: Even though “Turning Tables” is the longest single on this album, it seems to fly by in the blink of an eye. Featuring a wonderfully retro inspired, almost surf rock guitar riff and the typically soothing vocals of Luca Selina Müller, it is a special highlight on the entire tracklist. (4/5)

‘Where’: While all the songs included on Flaws so far have maintained a fairly similar theme and distinctive sound, the album has yet to address the issue of feeling too monotonous or bland. Instead, they manage to create a number of different compositions running through a common theme; not an easy thing to master. (3.5/5)

‘Youth’: A short but sweet exploration of adolescence that seems to naturally fit with the tender sound of Mueller’s vocals. The inclusion of keys in this song provides a special highlight, although at two and a half minutes, “Youth” doesn’t really get a chance to fully blossom. (3/5)

‘Shift’: As we reach the halfway point of GARDENS’ debut album, the band picks up the pace somewhat with a particularly heavy bass line. When the rest of the band comes in, the song offers something incredibly suave and cool, gradually moving away from the dream-pop parameters that this record first began with. (3.5/5)

‘Future’: The energy created in the previous album doesn’t necessarily carry over into “Future”, which brings a darker, softer sound to the band’s usually upbeat music. However, it really is an example of how the band diversified their material on this album. (3/5)

“Pills”: Despite its name, this effort marks a return to a more upbeat sound. “Pills” has a sound reminiscent of nature and greenery, and its lyrical hints at a dark inner struggle. This contrast certainly works in the band’s favor. (3.5/5)

“Seasons”: At this point, GARDENS may be at risk of repeating itself. This song in particular seems very close in both sound and lyrical content to various other tracks from this album. While this isn’t such a serious crime, it does mean that songs like “The Four Seasons” don’t have the same impact as other works. (3/5)

‘Help’: This brooding existential exploration is one of the most varied and interesting on the record, which begs the question of why it was so low on the tracklist? It is precisely works like these that best illustrate the songwriting talent of the Viennese group. (4/5)

‘Sink’: Offering a naturally tender conclusion to the band’s debut album, “Sink” isn’t a particularly standout song on its own, but it builds towards what was an undeniably strong debut album. (3/5)

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