Mayzie & Oceans have been on a whirlwind journey this year, dropping singles, touring the globe, and captivating audiences with their unique blend of shoegaze and dream pop. Now, they've delivered the pièce de résistance, their collaborative album, 'Luminosity'.
This record sees Oceans, known for their moody, 90s-inspired shoegaze, venture into brighter sonic territory. Mayzie's influence is undeniable, her ethereal vocals and knack for crafting infectious melodies pushing the band towards a more accessible, indie-pop sound. The result? A shimmering collection of tracks that showcase a band brimming with confidence and creative energy.
"I was really listening to a lot of cheesy 80/90s pop when I wrote these songs," admits Oceans' mastermind, Thomas Lee. "I wanted it to sound like someone dug up an obscure Italo-disco track from decades back and reworked it to make it sound like something entirely different whilst maintaining the aesthetic of its origins.”
This desire to experiment is evident throughout the album. 'Luminosity' is far from a simple rehash of familiar sounds; instead, it's a testament to the band's willingness to push boundaries and embrace new ideas. Mayzie explains their collaborative approach: “The mission statement was simple really; to try and harness our complementary skills into a record that was a bit more pop leaning than our separate previous works. I’m really drawn to good songwriting. The ability to tell a good story in an interesting way, through both the instrumentation and vocals is the golden egg!"
The story behind Mayzie and Oceans is just as compelling as their music. Oceans began as Thomas Lee's solo project, evolving into a full band navigating the challenges of lockdowns and line-up changes. Mayzie, a multi-talented artist in her own right, joined forces with Oceans after a chance encounter and a somewhat rocky start. “I thought it was ok, but I bloody hated Tom’s guts for the first few months,” she confesses. Their relationship, which quickly blossomed into marriage, has clearly fuelled their creative fire. “I think in some ways the record is about us," Mayzie reveals. "It’s kind of a journey from the absolute intensity of that initial love/lust, through to the growing pains of those first few years, and then to an acceptance and mutual trust.”
With 'Luminosity', Mayzie and Oceans have crafted an album that's both deeply personal and universally relatable. It's a record that's sure to solidify their place as one of the most exciting and innovative acts in the indie music scene.
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