Axis of Love EP
A few weeks ago, we featured the warm, synthy, tonal reverberations from Rose Quartz and their single “Leaving Now”; along with a promise to cover their impending EP, Axis of Love the second it was made available. Alas, that day has finally come, and today we’ve got Rose Quartz’s brand new extended play in its entirety. Seeing Rose Quartz’s subtle shift into heavier, darker, analog instrumentation through the scope of their lurid take on synth-pop was nothing short of breathtaking to hear, as they’ve turned in yet another addictive triumvirate of tracks.
As we’d already consumed the polished and stellar “Leaving Now” ad nauseam since its release, we’d been chomping at the bit to hear the rest of Axis of Love, especially after a sold-out NYE eve performance in Denver which featured loads of unreleased tunes and only served to stoke our fire for the quickly rising four-piece. After leading with “Leaving Now”, Axis of Love tips even gloomier with the slow-burning “Medicine”. Ethan Converse’s soulful refrain reaches further into longing soul than we’ve previously heard, while a simply plucked and reverb heavy guitar washes through a sea of modulated synth-work to create a song which simply oozes sexy, while shining across a number of different listening mediums. Closing out their latest EP, Rose Quartz nudge us a little closer to the dancefloor with an acid-house trimmed pop gem, “Something To Believe”. The quartet infuses large, chunky bass with rousing percussive elements from wood-blocks to a driving drum kit for a superlative finish to one of the richest 17 mins of music we’ve featured all year.
Quite simply, we’ve been impressed and enamored with Rose Quartz since their early days as FLASH/LIGHTS, and seeing their wealth of potential and talent translate into an impressive release is exactly what we’d been waiting for from the young avant-poppers. The quartet is currently gearing up for a U.S. tour with Generationals, which you can find dates for below as well as the complete stream for Axis of Love.
