Talent lies beneath the surface

Cecilia Gomaz and Kessiah Gordon’s melodic songwriting made the creation of their sophomore album, Unearth, something to be reckoned with. Crater, the Seattle based duo, have spent time bending the lines between electronic pop and harrowing alternative rock to make music worth listening to in the new year.

The title-track, “Unearth,” is the first layer to the 11-song album that digs through issues, with some not commonly touched by musicians and others found on a daily basis. After one listen, you find that a pop-y sing-a-long is nowhere to be found. There is no ranting or easy choruses — instead death, pain and the common issues of life. The music and lyrics found on Unearth are thought-provoking and produced with finesse and purpose.

The album takes off like a steady climb up a mountain of pure bliss with “Unearth,” “Brood” and “All That’s Mine.” The mix of Gomaz’s vocals, synthesizers, mellow chimes and lyrics carry it all in a tight, neat package. An underlying instrumental can be heard throughout the album and is put on a pedestal in the two-part song, “Void.” A battle between electronic beats and piano is heard under Gomaz’s alto voice dealing with her insecurities while not playing the victim. “No Es llusion,” which translates to “It’s not an illision,” closes the album. With the help of calming chimes, the listener finally realizes the truth dug out from the bottom of the album is that we can trust our intuitions and what we see and hear.

The name Crater seems to take a deeper meaning in Unearth. An important point made throughout the album is the idea that there is more beneath the surface than what we think we know. With a very Crystal Castles feel from start to finish, the synthy-soothing tone of the album can gently rock any weary listener into a dreamy lullaby.