Bernice
Puff EP
(Arts & Crafts)
Toronto-based project Bernice feel like they’re masterfully straddling the line between bedroom pop and minimalist dance floor boogie on their latest EP. Puff contains five doses of experimental, dreamy synthpop that should appeal equally to hipsters and those of us who love a well-constructed tune. Vocalist/songwriter Robin Dann certainly knows her way around a hook, even if many of the actual melodies are a tad off-kilter (that just adds to their charm). Her hazy voice lends credence to the feeling that the listener is entranced in a dream state during Puff‘s runtime.
The backing music in consistently engaging, even at its most relaxed. “David” tells the tale of one sad-ass mope who just needs something to believe in, and the minimalist beat lazily chugs on. The most impressive track, “St. Lucia” is also the most buoyant song on the record, pulsing along until the underlying beat has had enough and bursts out partway through. It’s also the most memorable, if overloaded, hooks on the EP. It proves that, while the band is engaging even at its most reserved, songs like the lead-off couplet showcase a more colorful variant of Bernice that the group hopefully explores more on their impending full-length. As it stands, now is certainly the time to become acquainted with a dazzlingly talented synthpop group.
