By Juliet Kozlow
What’s fascinating about Papertwins‘ Vox Humana is how after listening, suddenly all you want to do is hear the songs live. Although synth-laden alternative bands are definitely a trend that’s in right now, Papertwins manages to stay unique in that it rocks like an updated 80’s glam album crossed with the expert storytelling such at that of Thirty Seconds To Mars’ This Is War.
As “Alkaline” builds up, you can see this song as the opener to a sold out show with some intricate light show that casts tall shadows and shrouds the members of Papertwin into obscurity. As the beat settles in, vocalist Max Decker enchants the listener with a tale that rolls off his tongue and cuts through the instruments like a wave cresting along the shore.
“Headlights” and “Waves” takes the listener for a distorted ride across diverse plains while repeating stacatto motifs in a way that links them together seamlessly. As “Headlights” fades out in a manner perfect for the dramatic climax reveal in a film, “Waves” immediately begins to play with static and organ tones crescendoing and crashing down around the listener, submerging them into the computerized nature of Papertwins’ music. Although “Arco” is not a standout track, it’s pleasantly not a slump in the EP.
“Sonar” is the gem of Vox Humana to me. Something about it keeps my attention through the entire track, whether it’s because of the video game meets Muse beginning or the lyrics that continue the heavily introspective, dreamy theme. “Laces” keeps from finishing out weak with a defining mashup of every talent that’s been displayed in the EP.
Papertwins are going to be a force to be reckoned with in the alternative game if they gather enough steam. Clever lyrics might get lost under some of the more dramatic programming at times, but enough is said to hold one’s ear for another listen… and another, and another.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgMjwMbYSss[/youtube]
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