The press release for Sonoi’s debut album defines their sound as experimental pop, and with an album that is diverse and complex I can see why they defaulted to that verbiage. However, this album is very accessible, melodic, and clearly driven more by pop than experiment. What adds that extra element and excitement are the layered and textured sound that the listen will find hidden throughout the album. Yes, there is cowbell and catchy rhythms, but the band does expand their sonic palette and breaks some patterns with horns and other surprising elements. A song the really brings all of this together is the albums very first track, “Red Ant”. The track begins with what sounds like flutes or horn and then transitions into a calculated guitar rhythm before giving way to Adam Busch’s creative vocals. My favorite track on the album is the mysterious and eerie “Rotativa”, it’s all instrumental and beautifully constructed. Coupled with the closing track, “Friends In Dry Places”, Sonoi becomes more closely related to the likes of The Books than anything else. Sonoi made it live debut just over two years ago at the Hideout, and since then have culled a strong local following that with this worldwide release on Low Transit Industries should begin to spread.
Sonoi plays at Empty Bottle on May 14th.