In what is best described as "gray pop," the music Floating Room makes creates a sense of mellow desire; a longing manifested through their use of droned hums and haunting vocality. Floating Room is the musical partnership between Maya Stoner (ex-Sabonis) and Kyle Bates (Drowse, also featuring Stoner), though their partnership expands to much more than what started as bedroom pop recordings. In a romantic sense the couple’s chemistry, aside from their collective experimental and artistic capacity, helps make Floating Room what it is. Tenderness isn’t feared on either of their ends, and their propensity for support behind the instruments and in front of them is evident
Sunless, the band’s 2016 full-length debut on Good Cheer Records, married deep socio-emotional themes with paralyzing sounds. Stoner and Bates trade off guitar and synth duties as they channel part of makes Sunless (and the way they play together in general) beguiling – its vulnerability. Stoner sings about the transition from a bad relationship to a much better one, touching on abuse of power and misogyny along the way. For most, the subject matter is relatable, giving a welcoming sense to each of the tracks.
The openness presented on the album translates into Floating Room’s live performances as well. They’ll be touring with Alien Boy (which is led by Sonia Weber, Floating Room’s sometimes drummer) and are playing four SXSW dates, so see them as much as you can.