Producers have great power to change one’s perception of an artist. A well-known producer paired with a relatively unknown artist can bring the artist some serious attention. This is true in the case of the pairing of Absolutely Free, a band with a laughably unflattering name, and the celebrated indie artist Jorge Elbrecht, who has produced, mixed, and recorded Aftertouch. Granted, this Toronto-based outfit’s 2014 self-titled release—not produced by Elbrecht—received some attention and acclaim. But Caroline Polachek, Ariel Pink, and Tamaryn—big-ish names in indie music who have collaborated with Elbrecht—Absolutely Free are not. Therefore, potential new listenership attracted by the “Elbrecht” branding is most certainly welcome.

However, after a mere few seconds into Aftertouch’s first track “Epilogue,” it becomes clear as day that Absolutely Free don’t need to—and do not—ride on Elbrecht’s coattails to be validated. The band’s confidence is raw and their performance is honed. Their eighties synth-influenced psychedelic rock music has a sense of grandness that only comes with confidence. The music is loud and vibrant with the group taking the time to meticulously explore the ideas in each song, all but two of which are over five minutes long.

Aftertouch has lots of synths, yet it doesn’t sound like a synth-pop record. This is due to the element of psychedelia that Absolutely Free bring into these numbers and their performance of music as a proper band. Frontman Matt King’s hypnotically serene lead vocals and the surrounding celestial vocal harmonies, Afrobeat-aspiring drums and guitars, and analogue synths all provide a refreshing counterbalance to any synth-pop leanings the album might have.

In this manner, there is commonality between Aftertouch and some of Elbrecht’s own music, which tends to soak up different styles even while it is holding onto an eighties-pop identity at its core. More significantly, Aftertouch’s musicianship and musical style are distinct, and as an added bonus, it is (obviously) produced, mixed, and recorded with a painter’s instinct to capture beauty and a surgeon’s fastidiousness to achieve precision: what a divine artist-producer pair!

Rating: A-

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