Snow In Mexico are Andrea Novelli and Massimiliano Cruciani; formed in Rome in 2008 as a shoegaze/dream pop band they released their first self-titled EP in 2009. This was a very shoegaze inspired record drawing from the likes of Slowdive and Cocteau Twins. They followed this up with Prodigal Summer in 2012 evolving the concept; all washed in distortion, reverb and spaced vocals, evoking My Bloody Valentine and the electronic haze of Ulrich Schnauss.
Their latest EP Juno Beach, released in the summer of 2015, has moved their sound on further and what a joy it is.
The spacious, reverb-heavy shoegaze is still there but Novelli and Cruciani have added a layer of programming, sequencers and drum machines to create something akin to chillwave.
Opener ‘The Call’ is a hint at the ‘new’. Washed synths are underpinned by hard-edged, jagged sequencers and drum machine. The title track pushes us firmly into chillwave territory melding the likes of future-retro-ist Mitch Murder with Ulrich Schnauss at his electro-shoegaze best. Huge reverb washed chords counter the staccato bassline which are interwoven with warm and spacey vocals. The achingly beautiful Sunshine opens with ethereal synth washes and a warm descending bassline. It picks you up and carries you on a wave of drowsily gorgeous progressive chords. Gentle Rain is a somewhat muted end but still has the power to soothe and calm and ties the EP together neatly.
Best listened to on headphones where you can totally immerse yourself in the whole dreamlike haze that leaves you with a fuzzy morphine glow.
