Comprised of angular synth stabs, swirling and undulating electronics, skittering percussion and hot flashes of cymbals paired with plaintive vocals that sonically bore a resemblance to Beacon and I Love You It’s Cool-era Bear in Heaven, “The Line,” the first single off Montreal-based trio Seoul‘s full-length effort I Became A Shade captured the attention of the blogosphere. And that shouldn’t be surprising as the song thematically dealt with the difficulty of connecting emotionally and physically with others, as well as ourselves, and the difficulties of moving past a profound loss or a profound disappointment. In some way, the song evoked the lingering ghosts. neuroses and heartaches of human life, haunting us at our most vulnerable and weakest – when we’re alone and at our most desperate.
However, album single “Real June” may arguably be the warmest, most summery track on the Canadian trio’s debut effort, as the song consists of swirling, atmospheric electronics, shimmering guitars, sinuous bass and ethereal vocals and harmonies; in some way, the track subtly nods towards psychedelia in a way that bears an uncanny resemblance to In Ghost Colors-era Cut Copy. And although remarkably breezy, the song at its very core reveals a careful attention to craft – the hooks manage to possess an infectious and arena-friendly/large club-friendly quality.
The recently released official video follows two extremely close friends, who dress almost exactly alike — to the point of being extremely creepy — as they aimlessly goof around, explore and ride bikes and just be teenagers. The video manages to evoke not just childhood devotion and summer but of what it actually feels to be a teenager with its “us against the world” feel.
