Grade: 82/100
The synth-pop genre has become crowded recently with the rise of bands, like Passion Pit and Bastille. Now, it’s harder than ever to pick a favorite among the crowd, but Los Angeles duo, In the Valley Below, has thrown its name into contention with “The Belt.”
In the Valley Below gained major attention after performing at South by Southwest in 2013. After Bloc Party lead singer Kele Okereke remixed the band’s song “Peaches”, all eyes were on the male and female pair to release its debut album.
“The Belt” starts with the aforementioned song setting the pace of the album. “Peaches” is an easily infectious track with simple guitar chords and a catchy chorus.
Prominent songs from “The Belt” include “Neverminders,” “Searching for a Devil” and “Palm Tree Fire.”
The final song on the album, “King Tide” leaves listeners wanting more, which is exactly what a good LP is supposed to do.
The band’s easy transition between Angela Gail’s and Jeffrey Jacob’s voices on all eleven songs is what allows “The Belt” and In the Valley Below to stand out from other synth-pop artists. Ears are never bored with these two upbeat voices featured on the record.
In the Valley Below’s first attempt flows smoothly from beginning to end with. Listeners will find themselves unaware that a new song has started thanks to the high production quality.
The shortcomings of the album come in two categories: lyrics and variety. There are many similes and comparisons used to connect the audience to the album, but a few miss the miss the mark. While simplicity in music can often be a good thing, artists never want their music to sound repetitive. Unfortunately, In the Valley Below suffers from a lack of depth on the core instruments and rely on a little too much synthesizer to carry the tracks.
Luckily, the band is young and if they decide to release a second album, “The Belt” is a great blueprint to build upon. Tightening a few small problems could catapult In the Valley Below to the top of the synth-pop genre.
Until then “The Belt” will continue to draw attention for all of the right reasons.