Christina VarvisGang Signs
Geist
File Under: Music
gangxsigns.com
From Vancouver, British Columbia, electronic-new wave band Gang x Signs are impressing audiences both in their hometown and across Canada. Compiled of vocalists Matea Sarenac and Peter Ricq, and percussionist Adam Fink, they attempt to achieve a lucid blend of fluid, resonating vocals with rich synth and beat driven soundscapes.
Their new LP, Geist uses quiet synths to create a repetitive, catchy base to the engaging vocals. Adam Fink creates dynamic, clean sequential beats, songs like “LA on Monday” and “Stay Awake” feature Fink’s dynamic sound: varying relaxed and subtle, to hyperactive and quick. Each song flows into one another; the entire album has a homeostatic quality: nothing is out of place; no song is obstructive to the other.
Matea Sarenac’s voice has heavy similarities to Romy Croft from The XX; she creates a fluid, unobtrusive sound, yet in “Heist”, she pushes her vocals into an edgier, riskier level. Ricq creates a soft, soulful sound, similar to Matt Berninger from The National. Sarenac and Ricq create vocal chemistry in songs such as “SW” — the dreamy, surreptitious vocals of Sarenac’s melodies and the bass-driven, soft-spoken narrative of Peter blend seamlessly together and create a vibrant contrast of high and low vocals.
Gang Signs create a sound that is accessible and well known, yet undeniably meditated and charismatic. Geist is a successful first glimpse into a Canadian band that will continue to impress musicians and fans across Canada and the globe.
