Norwegian duo Astoria captivates on their new single, “Fragment,” serving as the lead track for their upcoming EP, Colder Than Before. The song explores the emotional impact we have on those we love through a steadily unfolding rock sound. A dynamic post-rock journey follows, wonderfully morphing from fragile, ghostly vocals into a passionate rock outpouring.

A haunting, trickling guitar resonates amidst glimpses of solemn strings as “Fragment” gets underway. A ghostly whisper emerges thereafter with seamless cohesion. “Force me down, and make me whole,” they let out, poetically capturing the influence of emotions on people you love, and vice versa. “Breathe with me, and feel my world,” an especially magnetic segment begins, moving into a riveting “I’ll cry with you” refrain and a subsequent, lush dose of late-night electric guitar, the mood there reminding fondly of Chromatics’ most spacious efforts.

A gorgeous combination of wordless, murky harmonies and symphonic grandiosity stirs as the track’s midpoint approaches. Then arrives a rousing final two minutes, where roaring guitar distortion adds to the dreamy, intoxicating mix. These whirring guitar tones move with climatic fervor, invoking the likes of Sigur Rós in its structural ascent from a serene, vocal-laden build into an ardent, guitar-driven rock expanse. “Fragment” is an enthralling release from Astoria, who showcase a clear penchant for emotional, momentum-filled songwriting.

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This and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.

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