By It’s our Bandcamp Pick of the Week, featuring another in a recent string of excellent ’90s pop and dance indebted releases, e O’s full bodied and groovy self-titled debut.
e O – S/T
Genre: Ambient Pop, Electronica, Dream Pop
Favorite Tracks: “Castaway,” “Under the Crest,” “Quick Save 2006”
A few months ago, our Bandcamp Picks column featured two coincidentally self-titled releases from After and 100%WET neatly slotting in the ongoing ‘90s alt-dance revival. Now, there’s a third one to make up a trifecta—e O, the shared moniker of UK producers eleu and Olson, whose collaborative debut better soundtracks a relaxing dim-lit afterparty than it does an energetic club room. The thrill of these throwback sounds remains, but you won’t find yourself being bombarded with intensity. E O is the remedy after a big night; together, eleu’s delicate, whispery voice and Olson’s pristine soundscaping help ease you into a tranquil state of mind.
Opener “Precursor” immediately transports you to this atmosphere, where naturalistic chirps awaken as a digital haze flickers in and out of the ears. “Castaway” is this album’s dream pop hit—an accessible blend between George Clanton and CCFX, made memorable by eleu’s lush vocals woven through the swaying, hooky breakbeats. “Silver Line” is something of a homage to Erika de Casier’s flowy, intoxicating R&B, a style later taken into a mellower chillwave direction on “Where have you been?” The bubbling “Under the Crest” is especially soothing, with aquatic ambient pads leaving you adrift. Although “Quick Save 2006” picks up the pace with levitating breakbeats, Olson’s sparkling, swelling textures are soft to the ears. “Citadel” and “Blue Eco” are the lullaby-like closing suite, the serenity gently petering out but lingering long after. eleu and Olson have skillfully captured the chill-out side of the ‘90s, refining their artistries in the process. Immerse yourself in E O on Bandcamp today, ideally during the after-hours, to fully experience its impact.
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