There’s an immediately disorienting quality to “Paradise Flat,” the novel single by New York art pop husband and wife duo Dollshot. The track’s in an off kilter 7/8 time signature that fills each measure with a sense of shuffling unease, while a brooding synthetic bass plays against occasional piano accents. In the eye of the storm is Rosie’s hauntingly vocal performance, a melodic counterpoint to the discordant saxophone of Noah K. It’s a lot to take in at once, given that each musical component comes at the listener simultaneously, but the end result is an impressive synthesis of pop, jazz, and classical instrumentation, one that belies Dollshot’s experiences cutting their teeth at music conservatory before shifting into the world of experimental indie. Futhermore, the track is evocative of other alt-jazz efforts, primarily Radiohead’s "Life In A Glass House," done so in a way that ratchets woodwinds, percussion, and electronics up to an 11.
“Paradise Flat” is the first single from Dollshot’s forthcoming sophomore effort, Lalande, out January 25th. Stream it below. –Connor Beckett McInerney (@b_ck_tt)