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ELSTOW

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With the release of The Electric Ocean, ELSTOW deliver a soiree of lush tonality that expands into experimental textures and all with a beautifully cinematic undertone.

 

The record takes the best parts of genres like indie, dream, and even alternative-pop and creates vast atmospheres and sentiments. 

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Taking layered textures, tones, and soundscapes to bend genres and create something that wraps itself around you is part of what this album is about, and that experimental but pop-coated approach is welcoming. 

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The Electric Ocean serves as a testament to where the duo is with their sound at the moment, diving into exploration of tonalities and building something you can drift alongside. 

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Elstow formed as a duo in 2012 and quickly expanded to 5 members, releasing their debut EP AS THE SUN FALLS in 2014,
a low-fi psych folk offering drawing on the melodic psychedelia of the late 60s. In 2017 they released their first full-length album
PLANETS AWAY. Driven by hypnotic drum and bass grooves, it offered 70s style rhythmically driven space-infused psych pop that
confounded and surprised listeners, leaning heavily on sci fi space imagery as a means for Shaw to explore his inner
thoughts.


Elstow remained quiet in the intervening years as different members focused on things away from music. Shaw, however,
realized a long term dream of building his own studio and started slowly crafting music for their second full-length. As the world
stopped and hid in their homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, the album was put on hold and a frustrated Shaw turned to the
world of film music for comfort. The result was a plethora of short film scores as well as two instrumental releases: THE DARK
SIDE OF THE EARTH and DELORES, released under his own name.


As Sydney slowly opened up again, so too did Shaw’s musical inspiration blossom, resulting in the finishing of an album that
blends the psychedelia and soul of yesteryear with an electronic and decidedly futuristic bent. Awash with synthesisers and
cinematic landscapes, THE ELECTRIC OCEAN also incorporates subtle nods to newer influences such as Neo-Soul and Afrobeat.
Continuing to utilize cosmic imagery, THE ELECTRIC OCEAN weaves in and around one common theme: Shaw’s split with
organized religion well over a decade before.

 

He comments, “saying goodbye to god has been a long and slow process, a difficult and tragic one..”.

 

This philosophical journey away from his faith is consistent with his approach to songwriting throughout.
Unconcerned with trends toward bite-sized music, THE ELECTRIC OCEAN is unapologetically committed to longer
authentic musical journeys.


Shaw is saying good-bye to something or someone, and it is a slow and heartbreaking farewell. The resulting album is a
meandering odyssey that will hypnotize listeners, deeper upon each listen.

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