Hats off—what the young Upper Austrian band Loving.the.Alien delivers musically on their debut, The Blinded You (Bleeding Star Records), is truly top-notch. Were one not aware that this is a debut effort, one would be inclined to say that this is a group at work that has already put years of development behind them; such is the maturity of the sound on display. Free from stylistic constraints and palpably unburdened, the quintet cultivates the field of indie-pop with musical finesse, inventiveness, and a palpable knack for compelling songwriting, crafting songs that haven't lost their spark even after multiple listens. The Blinded You is set for release on February 22nd. Loving.the.Alien consists of Lea Föger (vocals/keyboards), Niklas Pichler (guitar/vocals), Patrick Pillichshammer (drums), Melanie Aspöck (violin), and Lukas Staudinger (accordion/bass). The Upper Austrian band positions its musical language in a territory far removed from the bland mainstream. Steering clear of the standard verse-chorus format typically practiced in indie-pop and indie-rock, the five-piece outfit scores points primarily through a greater degree of variety and complexity—both in song structure and in overall sound. Stylistically, the group's tracks defy easy categorization, as they resonate with too many influences drawn from disparate directions. At times, the music veers toward a folkier aesthetic; at others, it takes a rockier turn; elsewhere, it is a chamber-style violin, a gently played piano, or dominant synth textures that provide the defining accents. Another aspect that contributes significantly to the refreshingly multifaceted overall impression is the vocal interplay—constantly shifting between Niklas Apfel and Lea Föger—which lends a wealth of character and depth to the songs. These tracks span a wide emotional spectrum, ranging from highly dramatic to melancholic or slightly psychedelic, and from spirited and laid-back to—in the most beautiful sense—truly moving. With their debut release, The Blinded You, Loving.the.Alien certainly delivers far more than just a mere showcase of talent. It is evident that there is something deeper at work here—that this quintet from Upper Austria has found its own path, successfully translating its musical concepts and visions—which lean distinctly toward the artistic—into truly compelling songs. This is an album that deserves a listen from far more than just dedicated aficionados of sophisticated indie sounds. Translated from: https://www.musicaustria.at/loving-the-alien-the-blinded-you/
