If Ben Gibbard got his hands on the debut EP by LA’s new indie electro duo, Sacred Caves, he’d be utterly jealous of what he would hear. Composed of longtime friends Greg Bertens and Nyles Lannon, Sacred Caves demonstrates an impressive pop sensibility and aptitude for creating delicate electro beats that could have easily made it on to a Death Cab for Cutie or Postal Service record.
From "Slomo," which is pure indie pop goodness with thoughtful layers, a steady beat, and gleaming, sentimental vocals, to the overly infectious dance party of "On the Outside," the four-song EP called "Sanctuarium" covers a lot of ground. Like Gibbard, Sacred Caves manages to create songs that have a strong sense of vulnerability and then surprises the listener with well-crafted beats that are both fuzzed out and dazzling. A more mellow and airy track called "Diamonds" wraps up the EP like a good, heartwarming bed time story. Sacred Caves is scheduled to release a full-length album later this fall. – Karla Hernández