We all know too well what quarantine looks and feels like. But what does it sound like?
Elephante attempts to answer this question with his latest album, Heavy Glow, released October 20th via Zoo Music/88Rising. The recorrd's 10 tracks play like an epic, with emotion oozing from every chord. Intricately aligned arrangements signal to Elephante's classical music training, while his own bold vocals tie together three acts of songs that purposefully push the boundaries of the album's aural cohesion.
The triumphant opening chords of "Break" (with Tiina), for example, are effervescent, paired with strong sonics and Tiina's delicate vocals. Its sonics provide sharp contrast to "Down This Road," an anthemic melodic bass ballad that takes a page out of ILLENIUM's rock-minded playbook.
"Running," an electrifying blend of future bass and melodic dubstep, proves to be the album's standout. A euphoric dance drop adds welcome variety to Heavy Glow, especially when bookended by slower, more introspective tracks. Synths splinter like diamonds alongside heavily weighted bass beats and big, resonating drums.
Later, "Prism" (with Dresage) slows things down with electric guitar plucks and atmospheric vocals, while Heavy Glow closer "Light On" rings with optimism and brightly oscillating synths. It pulls its lyrics from Maggie Rogers' landmark 2018 single of the same name.