Arguably the most renowned psychoanalyst from Switzerland, Carl Jung, spent a large sum of his career and life studying dreams. He believed that dreams are about life, they help individuals grow, and he pressed that there was a vital importance of balance and harmony in his theories. So what does this information have to do with Brisbane’s shoegaze virtuosos Deafcult’s debut album Auras?
In short, if Carl Jung were to have an audio description which encapsulated his findings for balance and harmony in sleep, it would be Auras. This is quite literally the soundtrack to dreaming in absolute utopia.
Opener “Lemonade Beauty” is a near perfect introduction to the full-length, while still in the realm of shoegaze, the track contains more of a kick to it not too dissimilar to transition stars of the genre Pennsylvania’s Title Fight’s recent work.
“Secret Wisdom” channels the legends of the genre My Bloody Valentine as does “Stars Collide” but in no way a carbon copy, just a respectful nod of sorts. The finesse of the songwriting truly shines here as somehow the sextet find a rather dreary and heavy feel in the reverie of it all.
Michigan’s Pity Sex become almost threatened with the eloquent track “Summertime” which Deafcult somehow managed to capture the season in sound; but before the listener has this BrisVegas outfit figured out, “Judy” dives into a synth-post-rock maze which incites a mind drift rather beautifully.
The real highlighted moments come in the form of the more subtle songs that detain the observer as found with “Auras” and “Ursai”. In these blissful moments, it would be easy to imagine that these compositions were designed by Thom Yorke collaborating with Anna Ternheim.
“Here Be Death” is THE closing song of 2017, having the subtle introduction and impact of Seal’s “Crazy”, but with a rock re-imagination and an extended chaotic euphoric conclusion, not too dissimilar from awakening from slumber, this is Deafcult’s infectious stamp and black swan of their debut record.
In closing, if Carl Jung were to analyse this LP utilising his theories, my interpretation would be that Deafcult’s Auras is a dynamic balance of harmony which encourages growth and reflects the zenith of life and not necessarily while we sleep.
