This synth-pop duo has been cooking up something dark, delicious and beautiful in its Halifax studio. The beats are more dreamy than dancey, and its smooth synths create a lush cloud for singer Babette Howard to glide over. The duo’s focus on atmosphere— sampling bells, ocean sounds, even country guitar on “Turns and Turns”—creates an intimate, inviting record. And even though these synthetic sounds and disco rhythms aren’t traditionally Maritimey, there’s two covers/remixes on Toska that pay homage to local artists AA Wallace and Cousins. This duo’s debut is a thick, heavy mix of sounds that deserves repeat listens and some serious blog coverage.
This article appears in May 8-14, 2014.