Avery Fos : Illuminate
Avery Fos
Illuminate
Dealing in synthpop coloured by cinematic electronic soundscapes, Bornean duo Avery Fos find comfort in crafting expressive, widescreen textures. Whether it be the sweeping post-rock ambience on past tracks like Tulsa and Lovely, or snappier hooks on singles like Child, that motif of expanse has been a theme that’s extended across their discography. With those tendencies, it makes it no surprise that they themselves have composed for film – unfortunately, on their latest single Illuminate, it really feels like just that: soundtracks with a missing screen.
It's not saying that the track’s devoid of interesting moments. Here, vocalist Phoebe takes a backseat, as the duo relishes in an instrumental showcase decidedly more subtle compared to their previous work. With an announced intention of crafting a contemplative journey of life, Illuminate takes on somewhat of a wandering, aquatic palette, as the duo submerge cavernous keys and processed synths under filtered layers of beatwork. The result is definitely pretty, serving as an pleasantly evocative moodpiece (its cover’s image of riding a whale underwater is pretty apt) – but it never truly reaches anywhere truly atmospheric and potent, meaning it suffers when separated from compelling narratives on screen. As its glowing, kalimba-like motif builds to a bubbling lift, they reach an ever-so gentle crescendo, before everything simply just winds down, as if an engine is softly deactivated.
Holding no clear destination and devoid of their previous majestic sweep, it’s hard not to perceive Illuminate as something resembling an interlude. Taking inspiration from Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross’ soundtrack from Pixar’s Soul, Illuminate sadly lacks their trademark sharpness to make an immediate impression – sensibilities that Avery Fos earlier held with their compelling M83-esque synth pop. As a single, its subtlety unfortunately robs it of the context it needs, and simply allows the track to wash over the listener without a noticeable impact. Rather than a wondrous splash, it merely feels like a gentle wave, illuminated by a faint hopeful light.
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