Man; Woman; Synth. Simple. Effective. A phantogram is defined as a stereo image that appears to be at an angle to the plane of surface it is rendered on. So, in layman’s terms a flat image which appears to float above its surface. A very apt name for a simple music which has an electricity that shocks you to attention.
Their latest release, Nightlife, is a chorus of cool pop, sketched by synths and coloured by both genders of vocal. It’s third dimension is provided by clever mesh of samples, breakbeats and bass. If your not an urban cool kid, or have a passionate hatred for them, then this is probably not your music. However, if your days are strung together by a wi-fi connection between the coffee shop and the club, you might strike gold with Nightlife.
The album seems to float by. It is punctuated by hooks and grooves which can upturn the darkest of frowns. The track that rises above though, is ‘A Dark Tunnel’. It smacks you with a sizzling bass and a male chant awash with reverb. It then seamlessly drifts into a feminine float-pop chorus. Dark and uplifting, this song is the city club’s mantra, and so is the album.
Members, Josh Carter and Sarah Bartel having been touring almost constantly since their debut release ‘Eyelid Movies’ so if your iPod breaks, you lose your Spotify and iTunes account passwords and your broadband gets cut off, and their name flickers on to a bill near you; be there. If not, get the album.