Escaping This Cold Rotation is the fourth album from Christchurch alt-pop duo The Response; multi instrumentalists Andy and Vic Knopp.
The album begins with Analyse, a stripped back song with a simple vocal melody before percussion kicks in. Faded Paper (also released as a single) leans into a pop sound with driving guitars.
The aptly named Split In Two signals the mid-point of the album. The repetitive guitar part is almost hypnotic, drawing you in to what is the longest song on the album.
At 15-tracks it might seem long at first, but still comes in at under an hour. Forget long intros and outros, these are punchy pop songs.
Throughout the album, Andy’s vocals are prominent. So, it’s a nice treat when Vic’s harmonies sneak in, notably on Built the Same Way.
The album comes to a close with another slower track, Tell Me When You Know It’s Right. This track has vocals layered over guitar, as Andy sings “tell me when you know it’s right”. And are those bells adorning the track?
Overall, this is a well-produced album, utilising what technology has to offer. A variety of sounds and effects will have you eagerly listening for what’s next and hearing new bits with each listen.
