Halcyon Daze, the debut album from NYC-based production duo Nightcaller, is chock-full of atmosphere. Specifically, the project captures an ’80s themed vein of retrowave/synthwave, influenced by acts like Cocteau Twins, Prince, CHVRCHES, Sleigh Bells — and ’80s nostalgia staples like Blade Runner and Stranger Things. Evan Patrick and Howard Alper met while auditioning to play for alt-R&B artist Kelis’ backing band. They went onto collaborating at The Glass Wall Studios, working with producer/keyboardist Joshua Valleau (Kanye West, John Legend, Cee-Lo Green), who added instrumentation and recorded many of the vocalists featured, as well as mixing the album.
“Mysterious Skin” steadily revs up from a minimalist assortment of guitar creaking and sporadic rhythms, spurning into a more anthemic ’80s hook around 01:10. The alternation between more barren though heavily atmospheric verses and the yearning, more expansive chorus is striking. If you’re into the atmosphere on this track, it’s strongly recommended to check out the rest of the album.
Stream Halcyon Daze in full below:
“Mysterious Skin” and other memorable tracks from this month can also be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Best of October 2018’ Spotify playlist.
The track is also featured in the genre-based, best-of Spotify compilation Shoegaze / Post-Punk / Dream-Pop 2018.
