If space is the final frontier then, alt pop outfit Tales in Space are cheerfully strumming their way to infinity and beyond. The Sydney duo are back with their new single, Stormy Eyes, ahead of their sophomore album release, which is expected later this year. Describing their sound as a “collage of electro-dynamo-pomo-disco rock”, Tales in Space go a fair way to illustrating the eclectic feel of their material.
Cosmic synths, electric loops and an explosive chorus, the new effort from Tales in Space, Stormy Eyes is an intergalactic journey through psychedelic space
Formed in 2009, Tales in Space are comprised of Luke Bertoz and Simon Widauer. The pair met while studying audio engineering before starting to make music together. A background that is evident in the expert instrumentation and production across their catalogue, as Tales in Space delve towards a more unique sound than even their own description quite encompasses.
Having met with success for their singles Shades and Starwars, Tales in Space went a little quiet post the release of their debut album, Formula, in 2014. However, rather than taking a break, they have, in fact, been wholly immersed in writing at Bertoz’s Coogee studio. As well as working towards the next album, Bertoz has also been busy producing emerging acts, like Dappled Cities. This latest single from Tales in Space was produced by Bertoz and mastered by Leon Zervos, and is the first taste of the band’s next steps.
With Stormy Eyes, Tales in Space take a very definite leaf out of Bowie’s Space Oddity book, as it transports psychedelia from its traditional kingdom of Shangri-La to somewhere beyond the atmosphere. Grounded in solid acoustic strumming, Stormy Eyes builds its interstellar vibe with electro loops and cosmic synths. An electric guitar line noodles some sort of space dream over the intro before the vocal comes in.
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The track has a vaguely anthemic feel, similar to previous releases like Shades. Really hitting home on the chorus, pushing on with a kind of shiny optimism around the refrain “As the sun shines all its days / We could be kids on holidays”. There is an irrepressible feel good quality to Stormy Eyes that glitches with the metallic, spacey sounds which characterise Tales in Space’s writing. Pleasantly comparable to Sparklehorse in all its dreamy oddity.
As a comeback release for Tales in Space, Stormy Eyes is the capsule returning to earth; bringing space dust back to terra firma. With less of the explosive launch of a maiden voyage, Stormy Eyes is more sure of itself and what its trying to say. Drenched in sunlight, as viewed from the dark side of the moon, the track delivers a kaleidoscopic promise of whats to come from Tales in Space.
