Walking Lines by Patterns (Album)

Making their debut, Patterns walk the line between shoegaze revivalism and cerebral electronica, coming out smelling like veteran dream poppers

Although reviewed with no visual display present, their debut album Walking Lines, recorded with a single microphone and a laptop, is a slice of dreamy shoegaze which has more dimensions than the simple recording method suggests. They kick off with This Haze, which opens with sprightly guitar patterns and harmonies, crooning vocals and slick synth. It nods towards Two Door Cinema Club and older influences such as My Bloody Valentine, but Patterns have a catchier, pop-tinted feel to them.

Embarking through the journey of this 10-track LP, it could too easily fall into the background of a genre that is currently going through a popular revival. However, thanks to electronic influences such as Animal Collective, Patterns incorporate a darker, more sophisticated sound. It sets them away from simply being another modern tribute act to their obvious influences. Standout tracks that highlight this are Our Ego and Blood.

Walking Lines is very consistent, though the smooth progression of the album sometimes masks the individuality of the tracks. It could be interpreted as playing it safe, but for some shoegaze revivalists this could be an album that they have on repeat. Although the album probably won’t kindle a surrealist emotional fire within people in the way that Dali’s great works do, Walking Lines has a spark that could suggest that, maybe one day, Patterns could reach out and ignite many souls with their cerebral, epic dream pop.

Verdict: Informed yet distinctive dream pop revivalism

Tilly Dowman

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