Impressing across both lush synth-pop and soaring rock-forward invigoration, Haze Collector is an immersive new album from Mono XL. The project of London-based, Spanish-born artist Mike de Lis, Mono XL balances emotional songwriting and hooky immediacy for an enveloping listening experience within. Stellar production from de Lis and Piti Varela complements the satiating structural builds and eclectic instrumentation.
“I Fall” opens the album with considerable intrigue; feedback-touched guitars and spacey synth arps intermingle with stellar immersion into a warming rhythmic pulse. Melodic vocals declare “I can make it on my own,” amidst mellow keys thereafter, escalating into anthemic guitars and a spirited vocal ascent. “I Fall” does well in opening the album — showcasing Mono XL’s clear capabilities for climactic, tonally dynamic productions. “Another Day” follows with a more electro-pop embrace. Glistening vocal introspection pairs with moody synths to start, later evolving into a danceable pop suaveness across the gripping second half.
A myriad of other highlights show within, from the rainy-day, hypnotic acoustic/piano caressing within “World of Stone” to the soaring electro-rock ardency of “Seven Days.” The latter dazzles with its charismatic guitar lines and steady synth undercurrent, combining invigorated vocal drives with this musical interplay. Haze Collector is a melodic, wonderfully produced success from Mono XL.
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“I Fall” and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.
We discovered this release via MusoSoup, as part of the artist’s promotional campaign.
