Prism Palace - Hoffman Heights

Prism Palace

Hoffman Heights
​self-released; 2020

3.8 out of 5

By My Nguyen

PrismPalace is a four-piece pop funk band from Denver, CO. The band consists of Duke Monsoon, Aaron Sanchez, Kellen Ryne Butler and Pieter Tampubolon. The four met in middle school, but it was in high school when their friendship blossomed. They decided to take their friendship into the next level by becoming a band. Divide & Conquer has reviewed their first EP Pilot back when they were known as The Waltz. The group continues to up the ante with their new EP Hoffman Heights. After taking a break to focus on their career and lives, their recent EP shows the band growing in their sound. This sense of maturity in the band, not just physically and emotionally, also shows in their music. 

Hoffman Heights EP gets started with “694 Peoria St.” where the track opens up with some banter between the members of the band. The interaction seemed very natural and like another practice session between several good friends. The short intro then segues into “When I Get There” that then paves the way for some percussive beats alongside some guitar work. The vibe covers a jazzy and funk-based groove with some smooth vocals. The drum fills really ignite a driven feel to the music. The sound also contains notes of Bossa nova with inviting and ear-pleasing rhythms. I was pleasantly surprised by how accessible their sound was. Sparse guitar riffs sound off on “Next Easter.” The guitar meanders for a little while. Once the crooner-style vocals enter, the sound then moves forward to a sultrier pulse. The track mixes R&B with pop and soul to make a powerful melding that will draw more listeners closer to the PrismPalace sound.

The band takes a dive into more hip hop territory with a revved rap style executed on “Bounce House.” The chorus changes things up with funk-filled vibes. As the groovy sounds adds a vibrant sense to the track, you can tell the band is having fun as they fully jam out. The EP comes full circle with more spontaneous banter between the band mates on the closer “The Afterparty,” showing more of the ease and naturalness seen in their exchanges previously in the intro. This came across as more of a faux-ending being only 39 seconds long. “Bounce House” felt more like the actual closer as the band shows audiences how to have a good time with this partying anthem. 

​Containing “themes of heartbreak, far-fetched fantasies, partying, longing desires, crippled incomes and the overall struggles of being a young adult in today’s world,” the EP hones a contagious energy with funky bass lines, shimmering guitar work and smooth vocals that really shines with a R&B and soul groove that makes this music both so chill and fun-loving. Staunch enthusiasts to the live sector, the band throws themselves into displaying a very live element to their sound. Highly synchronized to each other’s frequencies, PrismPalace exhibits a tight-knit synergy as they anticipate one another’s antics, quirks and high jinks in five tracks that are geared to show you a rocking good ole time. Be sure you have a listen today!

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