Review: untitled (halo) Debut Album Struggles With Identity
The Los Angeles band's debut album prioritizes aesthetic posturing over genuine emotional resonance.
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1Emergence of a New Sound
Los Angeles-based band untitled (halo) has gained attention for their blend of shoegaze and trip-hop. Often compared to the band Bar Italia, they utilize a visual aesthetic defined by blown-out photography and cryptic song titles. Their rise reflects a generation of artists whose musical fantasies are shaped by niche internet culture.
2Live Energy Versus Recorded Reality
While the band demonstrates a compelling, revitalized energy during live performances, their debut album fails to translate this intensity. The record, released via the Dirty Hit label, feels hollow. Despite the group's attempts to evoke a sense of dissociative catharsis, the final product lacks the emotional weight required for such themes.
3Production Quality and Fidelity
The debut album marks a significant upgrade in audio fidelity compared to the band's earlier, dingier EPs. Listeners can clearly hear the dream-poppy guitars and Y2K-inspired drum samples. However, this increased clarity reveals a repetitive songwriting structure, where short musical snippets are stretched thin to fill the duration of full-length tracks.
4Vocal Performance and Limitations
Ariana Mamnoon provides a sheepish vocal delivery that struggles to convey the intended emotional desolation. Meanwhile, Jack Dione interjects with jarring, rap-style verses that feel disconnected from the overall atmosphere. Ironically, the most effective vocal moments come from Jay Are, whose deep, monotone hum provides a much-needed sense of mystery.
5Formulaic Songwriting Choices
Most tracks on the album adhere to predictable genre tropes rather than subverting them. While songs like 'how to make your love (stay)' offer pleasant nostalgia, experimental attempts often feel like pasted-on gimmicks. The band frequently relies on cloud-rock production cliches, failing to deliver the genuine surprises promised by their aesthetic.
6Moments of Genuine Potential
The band finds its most authentic footing when abandoning enigmatic pretenses, such as on the track 'easy rider.' By incorporating traditional chord changes and riff structures, they successfully channel a more conventional indie rock sound. These moments prove that the group is most effective when they stop feigning raw, unpolished vulnerability.
7The Closing Track Insight
The album's final song, 'On10,' offers a glimpse into the band's untapped potential. Featuring glimmering piano and eerie bass lines, it captures a sense of possibility that is largely absent elsewhere. This track suggests that the group is capable of creating a more nuanced sound if they move beyond their current limitations.
8Final Assessment of Debut
Ultimately, untitled (halo) presents a market-friendly version of their influences without establishing a distinct identity. The album feels like a collection of aesthetic choices rather than a cohesive artistic statement. Unless the band evolves beyond their current formula, this debut may represent the peak of their current creative trajectory.
Original article: Pitchfork – Reviews — Review: untitled (halo) Debut Album Struggles With Identity