Setting the tone with a textured riser and trip-hop adjacent synthscape, The Familiar open Starry Eyes with atmospheric vocals and metaphorical prose as we experience the words, “Leave a trace like a boat and then it’s just the ocean…”
The opus expands with a vibe that fans of Portishead and Morcheeba will be able to connect with. A dimensional baseline immerses us as The Familiar share poetic prowess and charismatic depth with their intentional words. Starry Eyes tells “the story of a woman that knows the odds are stacked against her, but remains optimistic that if she follows her best instincts satisfaction will arrive.”
We appreciate the presence of the piano and the ethereal, yet dimensional nature of the composition. Starry Eyes showcases nothing less than instrumental mastery, and needless to say, we are in awe.
We learn that The Familiar identify as “Nordic Noir with some New York sassiness”, and that the duo may be of seeming contradictions – glacial and urban, secretive and heartfelt, sombre but uplifting, but the result of their artistry is a cohesive tapestry of sound.
The pair self-describe Starry Eyes as “a musical journey that captures the essence of the human spirit”, which certainly comes through in their intention, which we appreciate deeply.
The Familiar is comprised of Ruth Mirsky, a native New Yorker and former member of The Drums and Mads Martinsen, a Tromsø-based producer. It is no surprise that they have garnered critical acclaim from The Guardian hailing their music as “seductive synthpop” with their unique downtempo pop being celebrated by esteemed publications such as Huffington Post, GAFFA Magazine (Sweden), Ha’aretz (Israel), The Line of Best Fit (UK), Nordlys (Norway), and Impose Magazine.
We have added Starry Eyes to our New Music Spotlight playlist, whilst we continue to explore the wider discography and universe of The Familiar including White Poison, and Patience.