georgica - sun struck

Georgica

Sun Struck
self-released; 2013

3.7 out of 5

By Ted Rogen

Synth-pop, you've heard it before and if you are anything like it me you can't get enough of it. Bad synth-pop exists but you won't find it on the debut EP entitled Sun Struck by Georgica. Georgica is in fact one guy named Blair Small hailing from New York. The songs he writes on this EP aren't groundbreaking but they do what I want synth-pop to do, which is to create atmospheres with addictive rhythms and infectious vocal melodies. The songs lie somewhere between Junior Boys, Cut Copy and Twin Shadow.

The EP begins with “Summer,” which revolves around oscillating synths, a steady deep bass line, solid electronic drum programming and a memorable vocal line. It’s a danceable down tempo number but a little after the two-minute mark breaks down into a almost reggae-like vibe that surprisingly worked with the song. “Skin” is another good tune with a cascading synth line and has a tinge of melancholy that provides an emotional appeal not always present in the genre. “Wash Away” is free of percussive elements and instead is a sparse song that revolves around a sustained pad of sound and vocals. As it progresses it becomes more intense and I enjoyed how Small was able to do that without using percussive elements. 

“Paris Sun” is another poppy song that establishes itself with an emotional anchor that is undeniable. Small sings with conviction and gives the often robotic sounds a much-needed human tangibility. The album closes with “Eyes On,” which is the slowest number of the EP. It’s a good song, not really danceable like the rest of the album but it delivers.

Small impressed me with Sun Struck. He has a couple of good songs on this EP and I look forward to see how his future endeavors in music unfold. 

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