Plasma Chasms is an indie-psychedelic duo formed in 2020 by Australian Jane Drewett and American Adrian Guerrero, blending So-Cal vibes with retro, gritty indie-pop tones, and cosmic themes in their debut album “Chrysalis” — keep reading for my thoughts!
The whole of “Chrysalis” takes on this very quasi-dystopian, experimental gritty sound — from the very first track, “Enter The Chrysalis”, you’re looking at a wide variety of sonic influences that shape the story of this track — be it the beautifully designed foley in the start, or the soft jazz elements that come through at the end, there’s much to appreciate here — and “Enter The Chrysalis” is a great foundation indeed.
Segueing into “Coolangatta”, we’re settled into a soft pop-rock sound that has its allure from the very start — be it the clean singing, the warm electric guitars, or the atmosphere built ever so gently by the synths, there’s much to appreciate here from the start to the end. As the song progresses, you’re drawn farther and farther into the track, the hypnosis persistent and determined.
“Psychedelic Carousel” brings the trademark sonic experimentation of Plasma Chasms back for an uptempo folk-rock vibe, blending in elements of classic rock and roll — the track is rife with energy as the synths once again are the star of the show, infusing life into the mix at exactly the right points, resulting in a listen that’s rather charming.
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As we journey on over the course of the 13 tracks on “Chrysalis”, we encounter tracks like “Already Waiting”, “Interstellar Baby”, “Painted Rain”, and many others — in particular, “Solaris” shines with its sunny, optimistic sound, lending emotional variety to the tracks on offer over the course of this album — and as we gently bid “Chrysalis” adieu, we encounter “Dream Wizard (The Cosmic Elevator Song)”, which, with its 80s rock charm and Daft Punk-esque synths has a bold and proud sound, making for a fitting end to this album.
Energy and catchiness are the two things that “Chrysalis” does spot on; the elements are varied and tastefully picked, the melodic writing shines with its ability to charm and surprise — and the mixes are detailed, and the production excellently executed. There’s a mix of genres ranging from psychedelic rock, electronica, experimental rock, and some progressive elements thrown in for good measure. The meters of the tracks turn on seemingly dimes, keeping the listening to a thoroughly refreshing experience.
All in all, there’s much to love from the Plasma Chasms as they come out with this album — check it out here!
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