Daybed – Preludes

Daybed have been making a few ripples in the minimal synth scene. Preludes comes on on Genetic’s pioneering sub-label No Emb Blanc. Daybed are the duo of Carla Marschall (vocals, lyrics) from the US and Tim Farland (vocals,lyrics, music) from New Zealand. Both find themselves residents of Berlin, not a bad place for a synth pop pair. Daybed have performed a number of live shows of late, with more lined up (sharing stage with Sudeten Creche soon.) But, back to the record. The EP contains five tracks of 80’s inspired synth pop. Think the likes of Xeno and Oaklander and you’re getting on the right lines. The 12” opens with “Lack of Light.” Addictive electro pop pours from the record. Synthesizer shoegaze with Marschall lending somber vocals to the mix. “Gonna Get Ya” follows in down a similar path, with a bit of Debbie Harry coming through. “Journey” sees a much more subdued note enter into the EP, building in broad analogue chords with sweet lyrics pirouetting around the vintage undercurrents. Strings arrive with “At the Station.” The chords have a decent portion of Joy Division to them, with a contemporary twist of Frank (just Frank) for this indie love piece. Daybed’s first steps finish with “Girl Help Me,” a staccato piece to round off this duo’s seminal start.