With only one single under their belt, the four-piece band from Dallas known as Abbreviations has effortlessly nailed down their musical identity. Though they can be categorized as dream-pop, the lyricism and the effectiveness of their playing makes any kind of labeling irrelevant. The musicality is undoubtedly simple, but there is an intangible magic to the song that makes it so easy to absorb, subsequently making it appealing to a mass audience. This new single puts a hypnotic spell on its listeners, leaving us to yearn for more.
Within the first minute of the song, I’m able to draw comparisons to bands like Beach House, Slowdive, and Cigarettes After Sex. Abbreviations share the same sort of atmospheric, psychedelic, and subtle textures that are associated with these other bands. There is a simplicity and space-like feeling that is homogenous with the dream-pop genre, and Abbreviations certainly possess those traits. Yet even with just one song, I can tell that they have been able to carve their own niche within this musical classification. “Turn on You” is a slightly more rock n’ roll version of your typical shoegaze tune, with the lyrical and melodic sophistication of the most iconic pop songs.
Speaking of the lyrics, Ashley Leer’s words contribute mightily to the “repeat effect” that this song produces. Sometimes with mellow, dreamy types of songs, it’s easy to lose focus on the lyrics as the music and vocals seem to flow together as one. That is unequivocally not the case with “Turn on You.” Leer provides some background to the content, saying “‘Turn On You’ is about that moment where you realize you have feelings for someone other than the one you’re with and the internal conflict that creates.” It’s possible to interpret this theme as a negative, but the self-honesty that she calls attention to ultimately brings out a positive message. It’s completely fine to think about moving on and looking to the future if that’s where your mind is wandering. Addressing these feeling are better than ignoring them and perhaps, that is what Leer is emphasizing.
While all the members have considerable experience playing in other bands in the Dallas area, the fact that they have been able to create a song with such cohesion and uniqueness as their first single is impressive to say the least. They have a sound that is familiar enough to satisfy fans of dream-pop, but they also have the musicianship and songwriting chops to engage music lovers of all kinds. “Turn on you” is just a teaser for all that’s to come from the Dallas quartet.
-Quinn Donoghue