During the bleak months of early 2020,
Samira Winter began work on a follow-up to her bubbly, technicolor dream pop album
Endless Space (Between You & I). Not surprisingly, the songs she wrote for
What Kind of Blue Are You? are more introspective, the sound she and producer
Joo-Joo Ashworth created more muted, and the tone of the whole record is a little gloomier than previous
Winter albums. These slightly darker colors are balanced by the warm and vibrant melodies, her cooing vocals, and the wide variety of guitar sounds that give the record multiple shades of blue to work with. Unlike the last album, which explored synthesizers to great effect, this is definitely a six-string serenade. Leaning heavily on the sound of shoegaze,
Winter wields all the effects one might expect, from backwards reverb to tremolo, grinding noise to fluttering fuzz, all layered together in walls of staticky noise. The subtle use of these tropes calls to mind the best work of
Froth, who not coincidentally number
Ashworth among their membership. Songs like "wish i knew" and "crimson enclosure" have the same kind of lo-fi, fragmented approach to shoegaze that
Froth does, but it's a little more comforting thanks to the vocal harmonies and
Winter's positive energy. Other tracks have a bit more of a polished feel, even getting close to ultra-poppy
Hatchie territory once or twice, especially on the disco-dreamy "atonement," which features the aforementioned artist on backing vocals. The record swings gently between those two extremes, always with sharp hooks and sticky sonic embellishments. Sometimes even landing in a lovely space in between where the sadness is given a lift by the rhythmic motion and melodic grace. The album-ending "kind of blue" is a lovely example, as is the shimmering "sunday."
What Kind of Blue Are You? exhibits a fine blend of quality songcraft, nifty arrangement skills, and
Winter digging a little deeper for some melodies and words that land a little harder this time around. It's the kind of record that is catchy enough to feel good as it spins and just melancholy enough to soothe the troubled soul. ~ Tim Sendra
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