Connecticut, and New England, for that matter, never stops surprising with its rich crop of talented artists. New Haven’s Sargasso is a collective that dips its indie rock in sugary electro-R&B for a sound so dreamy-seductive sweet. The group’s self-titled EP opens with brilliantly soft electric guitar strings and a stout bassline that transport one to a world desired, one of serene indie rock. “One Enemy” with its sustained synth notes and relaxed vocals, is more than an opener, it is a solid statement by a group defining its signature sound. The record’s second track, “Secret Compartment,” expands on the band’s strengths as it delivers rich vocal harmonies that melt to a hot groove, irresistible and soothing. Songs like “Lifetime” surrender to both Strokes-y guitar riffs and blossoming synth melodies with a retro glaze. The record flirts with escapist themes, and it is that tease with complete dreaminess that makes the album such a treat. Listen to the ‘70s space flick intro of “Secret Compartment” from the new record streaming below. – Rene Cobar, photo by Xinyuan Chen
