The music of Portland trio Appendixes is like that place between sleep and waking, where consciousness breaks away from subconscious, emerging from colorful dreams that seemed to make sense at the time. Light begins to filter through, stirring past a weighted heartbeat of bass, and then bursting full of synths and acoustic strums. Beth Morgans vocals are hazy, and slowly the lyrics become clear: “I had a dream we were walking on the moon” .
“Moonwalking” is the first sweet song on the band’s new five track EP Everyday Use (Jan 24th on Track and Field), and is an extension of previous works Neon Green Fear and False Color, possibly pointing to a full length endeavor. Its Dream-gaze, with eerie, condensed echoing, but also fun pop tendencies. Morgan’s alto slowly navigates the interplay between rhythms and acoustic melody. “The Plan” is a dusty and fast paced jaunt, while “Treehouse” is a sparkling dramatic into for “Burn”, which showcases catchy beats complemented by synths and electric guitar solos, but grounds near the end with a negative rhythm of feedback.
Through some cutester strums, synth and breathy vocals, there is an ominous mood surrounding their sound, such as the darker, final track “Stolen.” And yet, listening closely you find lyrics about being “a shooting star, a glimmering ball of light” among the struggles.
Here’s to lucid dreaming.
– Brandy Crowe