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Live Review: REVIEW: Olympic Ayres 'Episode II' EP

15 June 2012 | 9:00 am | Staff Writer

Olympic Ayres release their second EP, aptly titles 'Episode II,' a mix of Disco, 80s Pop and Chillwave all with contagious results.

Self-proclaimed genre spanners, (ie one who extends their musical fortune to more than one genre) OLYMPIC AYRES'  most recent installment, Episode II hit the webstream very recently.

I mean with that being said, another point to be raised is who the heck doesn’t love a second installment? Sydney duo, Olympic Ayres’ second major addition to their ever-expanding quota of music, is such an obvious step up, musically from Episode I. Fittingly entitled Episode II, the sequential memento overall encompasses elements of different sounds, textures and genres. I think the biggest and most obvious difference between the two Episodes is the instruments being used and the tone of which they are being presented.

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Let's first take a look at 'The View,' the video of which can be viewed above. Obviously very dance-esque, spanning a confident assortment of beats, rhythms and recurring decibels. Definitely one to flick on in the midst of a busy night out, the somewhat cheesy lyrics add to the songs appeal, which actually makes you want to sing along even more than ever before. The synthesised sounds layered underneath the dreamy voices wrapped in a layer of constantly added and subtracted beats really sets a scene with this song. Relatable, upbeat and very tempo prosperous, this feverous track is a winner as far as the stereotypical banter of the opening track is concerned.

Opening with an inspirational fanfare, the intro to ‘River Song’ seems very Rocky Balboa. The intro’s overall power makes it very uncommon to visualise a Sylvester Stallone look-alike running in slow motion in the hot midday sun. However as the song grows stronger, we come to a fantastic assortment of sounds. A heavily featured ostinato of a particular guitar riff, makes the distortion stand out above all. The upbeat sunshine contained in the song shines so bright, and stays constant throughout the whole song. The epitome of Olympic Ayres sound is really showing through, even in just the last two tracks alone.

Finally, we come to the three and a half minute fever of ‘Lose You’. Man I don’t think I’ve ever heard a track in the past 3 years that sounds this 80s. The track itself, however is more than that. Again, Olympic Ayres have found this effectively composed way to mix genres. Containing say House, Disco, 80s Pop and Chillwave all into one, the resultant is contagious. Building up the atmosphere, whilst containing a relaxed mood, this Pop track ends the EP in a fantastically relaxed and satisfactory manor.

I walked away from listening to this entire EP thinking to myself 'Wow I could listen to this again. And again. And again.’ One worth listening to, Olympic Ayres have outdone themselves in a more creative way than ever.