Everything Under are a group from Chicago, based around songwriter and vocalist Mark J Heidecke. Their music is an interesting blend of synth pop with elements of eighties groups like New Order and Depeche Mode, combined with more modern influences in a similar genre, like Moby and Owl City. This E.P. consists of five tracks produced well by Jeez Pot.
Opening track Here is a mid-paced haunting piece of music with its pulsing synths and atmospherics, with creative use of reverb to forge a powerful sonic soundscape. Heidecke’s voice is strong but becomes part of the overall sound rather than dominating, and that serves the song. Second track Feelings Alive is similarly paced and helps establish the sonic identity of the group.
Third track Mom and Dad is a slow-burning epic which brings to mind Colour of Spring-era Talk Talk, another classic 80’s group. The pulsing bass drum drives the music along, and the hook sticks in the mind, Heidecke intoning ‘Everything I have I owe to Mom and Dad…’. Out of context, that sounds almost corny, but works well as a counterpoint to the brooding, intense ambience of the song.
Real Heal, track four, is the closest thing to a standard chart pop song here, the chugging synth riff reminiscent of The Human League. It is catchy and memorable after just one listen, so would be suitable as a lead single off the E.P. and would do well on radio. Final song Party is like a blend between the more mid-paced first couple of tracks with the poppiness of Real Heal, and brings these twenty minutes of music to a strong close.
Overall, this is a fine E.P. and with other acts eighties-influenced such as La Roux blazing up the charts (at least inBritain), this could be a good time for Everything Under to make a big name for themselves.
