The Baltimore duo @ – pronounced “at” in English, not “at” – caught the attention of the specialized press three years ago thanks to their album ‘Mind Palace Music’, a masterful lesson in contemporary indie-folk that stood out for its prominent use of vocal harmonies, in a The Roches but lo-fi vibe. In contrast, that album’s cover evoked internet aesthetics such as vaporwave.
The duo composed of Victoria Rose and Stone Filipczak, now based in Philadelphia, doubles down with ‘Autosmile’, a new album that can be heard starting October 16. It is his debut on the legendary 4AD label.
The 11 songs on ‘Autosmile’ “balance darkness and wonder with striking confidence,” and according to the official press release, “the album moves effortlessly between haunting folk textures, progressive flourishes, indie-pop choruses and moments of cinematic beauty.” There is all of this in the preview single, which is also the title track and today’s Song of the Day.
Rarely does a song of almost 7 minutes become short, but @ achieves it thanks to this Autosmile’, which presents a melody close to perfection. The romantic chorus says: “I don’t know how I came to be yours, although somehow I know / I don’t know how I came to stand up to you, but I have no doubt,” and serves as an anchor in the song while guitars and other instrumental elements seek different paths and nooks and crannies.
Full of gratitude (“I can’t believe my place in this world, I’m blessed”), ‘Autosmile’ portrays a love that is torn between tenderness and uncertainty, as revealed by that phrase that underlines the “tenderness but also the heavy doubt” of that person. In that contrast, the narrator sings that “demonology” could bring her “closer to God.”
