Leiahdorus- Parallel Universe

The new album from Leiahdorus is exquisite, no two ways about it, adding guitars and sweet but unadorned vocal work to modern, symphonic synthpop. Lead singer Jason Smith has a tendency towards falsetto, but it works wonderfully with the deep pianos of "Freeways" and the low-fi alternative rock of "Run." Lead guitarist Fox Fletcher adds a sort of raw energy to the soaring keyboard crescendos of "Paper Girl," and his solo on "When It's Dark I Am Five Again" gives a contemporary rock feel to the song's retro dance pop vibe. Smith's lyrics tend towards the philosophical, and although it doesn't work as well as it could on the heady love song "Kiss On The Telephone," songs like "New York Told Me So" manage to be contemplative without losing their pop appeal. Likewise, the arrangements on this album seem to hint at classical influences, but the timpani and strings of "S.O.S." and the moody piano arpeggios of "Parallel Universe," strongly reminiscent of Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata," don't sound nearly as pretentious as they could, and are equally appealing whether your background is in Bach or The Beatles. Despite their strong presence in the modern synthpop scene, Leiahdorus make excellent pop music regardless of your favorite genre, and anyone with an interest in well-written, professionally produced songs that you can't help singing along to would do well to pick up a copy of Parallel Universe.

Visit www.leiahdorus.com for streaming music, videos and more information.