For fans of ’80s movies, Ballet School’s debut album could be the soundtrack to your most nostalgic daydreams. Their aim of creating a “graceful, 21st Century pop album” is realised through their unique fusion of contemporary beats and dreamy ’80s pop – yet not everything adds up.
It opens with ‘Slow Dream’, a hypnotic soundscape reminiscent of a tribal rain dance or music that might be played at a spa. More prelude than opening track, it doesn’t immediately kick the album into gear. The ’80s influence is amped-up on ‘Pale Saint’, a synth track layered with graceful harmonies.
‘Heartbeat Overdrive’ is one of the album’s defining tracks. Lyrically nonsensical it may be, but with throbbing drums and Kate Bush vocals it is a hypnotic, shimmering creation. The album slows with ‘Heliconia’ and ‘Gray’, the latter a misty indie pop/Mariah Carey collision. By the time you’ve reached ‘Jade’ it’s all a bit too familiar. Pretty synthesisers and delicate vocals are all well and good, but what we really crave is originality. Here’s hoping their next album will tie up the loose ends left floating throughout this record.