NYC trio Occurrence reimagines five songs from its early catalog on Anniversary, a celebratory EP marking a decade of experimental electronic pop. With Ken Urban’s synth-driven arrangements complemented by Cat Hollyer and Johnny Hager’s expressive delivery, the collection refreshes familiar material with renewed atmosphere and emotional intensity.
“My Days and Nights Belong to You” opens the EP in riveting form, weaving spacey synth frequencies and a dreamy backing pad as Cat Hollyer’s lead presence emits a hypnotic, melodic prowess. “You never really seemed to care,” she lets out as the haunting synth layers progress into a cathartic “my soul will finally unfold” depiction of no longer being encumbered by one’s bodily limitations; the futuristic sense is conveyed with riveting qualities both in the stylish electronic pop sound and robot-like lyrical imagery. “Shiver Bed” ensues with a “come lay with me” beckoning, complemented by a brisk trip-hop rhythmic precision as ghostly shimmers of synths bolster the empowering lead presence, striving to “break this fever yet.”
The rest of the EP continues to consume. “If He Were Here” features Johnny Hager on lead delivery as an elongated “keep me, tell me” yearning melds with subdued pulses of synths; his performance attains a climactic fervor in its concluding repetition, sending chills. The dynamic “The Joy Ripper” stirs as well, jumping from piano-fronted art-pop intrigue to anthemic electro-pop spiritedness, while EP finale “I Like You More When You’re Stoned” contrasts lingering guitar feedback with sporadic piano drops, then attaining an industrial pop/rock cohesion; the multi-lead title-bearing theatrics are particularly striking. Anniversary is a fantastic celebration of Occurrence’s ongoing creativity and high-quality productions.
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“My Days and Nights Belong to You” and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.
We discovered this release via MusoSoup.
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