New students, there’s a lesson you won’t learn in class that we’re here to teach you: Boston’s got a rich electronic scene. The city champions its rock and folk bands through a megaphone. Its electronic acts, however, tend to lean out of the public eye, even if it’s the banging hits of Andre Obin or weird twists of Skinny Bones. So grab your pencils and listen up. Miss Geo is your new teacher and the band’s got a lesson plan of a record you’ll want to bring to every party you attend: Connection.
The trio didn’t form online, but it did practically stem from computers. In 2013, Pascaline Mary first met Abby Heredia when she caught her acoustic performance at the Apple store. The two found plenty of mutual musical territory and shortly after formed Miss Geo, bringing bassist Alex Miklowski in this past December. There’s a fusion-like mindset shared within the band; that blend of styles results in the diverse LP that is Connection, which comes out Thursday, Sept 15.
The debut full-length sees the trio blowing its electropop sound into beautiful, mesmerizing shapes. It’s a rich treat, one that sounds more fitting in the Swiss Alps in a snow parka or opening up for the Cocteau Twins, but the three make it fit Boston’s scene, particularly in a live setting. Then there’s the mixing by Matthew Beaudoin (St. Vincent, Ryan Adams), which allows the album to step into some serious EQ territory. It’s a curious record to hear, especially compared to burgeoning indie rock acts, and one that reminds new Boston residents and old locals alike that our city continues to offer up quality work.
“During the last two EPs, we were getting to know each other, musically speaking,” explains Heredia. “With this, the writing process was smoother, all the band members were musically connected and unified, and, as a result, it became a real pleasure to collaborate. For the first time our artistic mind fully connected.” That connection—the one that inspires the album title—comes across clearly in each song, extending the members’ emotions on through their instruments.
“We’ve been called left-field pop before, which makes us a little different,” Mary adds, noting the band’s mix of underground dance and experimental elements in particular. “Our live show reflects that because we arrange the songs in unexpected ways with synthesizers and guitar pedal effects.”
Experience the album with all your friends at the Milky Way Lounge for only $5. That’s a homework assignment worth completing. If you’re nervous because you don’t know what to expect, just look at lead single “Sea In Between.” It captures Miss Geo in an ocean of atmospheric ’80s electropop. It keeps the beat buoyant with staccato synth, but throws in the timeless touch of vocals somewhere between the dance enunciation of Robyn and pop pulse of Kylie Minogue. Add a dash of the genius of Cher’s high point (the highest of compliments) and that’s pretty much the rest of Connection: a warm, layered, jubilant electropop album that will keep you dancing for hours.
MISS GEO, CITRUSPHERE, AUDREY HARRER, DJ BOYDJIBOUTI. THU 9.15. MILKY WAY LOUNGE, 284 AMORY ST., JAMAICA PLAIN. 9PM/21+/$5. MILKYWAYJP.COM.
