An insight on Cut Copy's new album Freeze, Melt

Every Elec musician and fan knows Cut Copy, or has at least heard of them or listened to one of their songs. The Aussie elec music act formed in Melbourne in 2001, when Dan Whitford decided to dedicate to Music, after working as a Graphic Designer for a Melbourne based graphic agency. The band's first release is Bright Like Neon Love, in 2003. Tim Hoey (guitarist), Mitchell Scott (drums) and Ben Browning (bass and keyboards) join him on what would become the band's current and official line up. The band is known all over the world and has played shows and toured with artists and bands such as Daft Punk, which is one of Dan's main inspirations, and has won awards like the ARIA, in 2011, with Zonoscope.

Today and 5 albums later, the band has presented their 6th LP, on the 21st of August. The new work is comprised of 8 new tracks and marks a new sound change, inspired by ambient music and the Covid-19 pandemic situation and how it affected our relationships and social environments. This is mainly adressed in "Love Is All We Share", which was written one year prior to the release of Freeze, Melt. 

The album begins with "Cold Water", with a synth arpeggio and a lead sound that takes us on a beautifully crafted 40 minutes dream journey. Then Dan begins to sing love-inspired lyrics. An upbeat drum machine pattern starts and the listener is immediatly "hooked". 

The second track, "Like Breaking Glass", has a bigger sounding compressed drum beat that recalls the 80s sound. Synthesizer arpeggios start to sound and all the dreamy electronic sounds (leads, bass) show themselves throughout the chorus.

"Stop, Horizon" marks a more solo keyboard based ambient sound that feels like an acoustic guitar. The bass takes shape and there's only a verse in the whole track, but that's not a reason to avoid this track. It's completely fantastic, especially close to the end, with the drums and and dreamy synth lead and a final pad sound, that recalls the Miami Vice "Crockett's Theme", by Jan Hammer, in some way.

"Running In The Grass" is perhaps the richest sounding song of the LP, and the one that amazes the most, especially keyboard and beat wise. The visualizer for the track reminds of computer games, such as Unturned (the gamers know what this means), and this tune could very well be applied to a videogame.

"A Perfect Day" takes this on another level, more nostalgic. In terms of lyrics and keyboards, it's not very far from the other tracks, but in a positive way. Love is definitely a huge topic adressed by Whitford.

"Rain" is probably the most "synthesized" part of the album. Huge bass, arpeggios, leads, pads, especially the "weird", positively, one in the beginning. Also, there is a strings arrangement and huge turn in chord progression in this part, that takes this listening experience to another level of music producing. The video for "Rain" could not be better made to adress this act of the nature. 

"In Transit" puts the dot in this epic trip through ambience, sound design, love and nature, with  a beautifully crafted keyboard set of parts and beat.

Cut Copy never fail to amaze their fans and everyone that wants something different in the electronic music area. 

Listen to Freeze, Melt here: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nXF63xkZ2w_naiwnFpzWwU7hCx5A_rLog

Review - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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