"Undreamt" is the genius debut EP from DC’s Painted Face, the solo project of Allie Alvarado (formerly of Telepathe and Blood Lines) in collaboration with producer Alvin Risk. Fans of Kate Bush and Bat For Lashes ought to include this gem in their collection of pop shoegazey-driven dance anthem albums, with swirly chants found in every hit after hit track on this "I can’t believe she’s not playing arenas yet" EP.
The title track ‘Undreamt’ oozes lushy synths with layers of spiraling keys over a beat that urges your whole body to let go as Alvarado’s bewitching voice croons "So if you feel it, you better make the first move…"
‘Favorite One’ is a beautiful ballad delivered over spasms of glitch melting into ‘Sum of Me’, an energetic track where Alvarado questions "did you ever know the truth, did you ever try?"
Ending the EP is ‘Girls in Love’, which transports you to mid 80’s pop in the first few seconds before taking a giant leap back to the future of electronica and riding the synth waves ’til the end, where you just want more. Until an LP is revealed, we can always just hit the repeat button. Love it.
Catch Painted Face, along with Raindeer and Stout Cortez @ the Velvet Lounge on Jan. 15 at 9 PM ($8). -Dawn