An eclectic blend of melancholia and dreamlike soundscapes, Juno Empire’s latest single ‘Stranger’ is an exquisite display of modern, sophisticated, and efficient psychedelic pop from an award-winning composer and a consummate music professional.
Based in Arizona, Juno Empire is a musical project, a vehicle for all the vivid indie dreams of EMMY-winning film scorer Alexander Thomas. His sound on ‘Stranger’ is a bridge between Tame Impala’s melodic leanings and Ariel Pink’s whimsical soundscapes. A healthy meal of unforgettable and emotive melodies, textures, and lyrics. On ‘Stranger’, Thomas’s existential inquiries are light and provocative. Written about the fact that one’s experiences are ultimately only felt by the individual who experiences them regardless of how hard they try to or how well they explain them, ‘Stranger’ is unquestionably a good experience, and a rich one that’s going to strike different chords within each listener.
The synths of the song fuse quite elegantly with the string arrangement, making for a soaring, vintage indie sound that’s reminiscent of the music of Air, France’s venerable indie duo. Especially through the lush acoustic guitar performance and its tight strumming. The song’s chorus, which is looped for the song’s outro, is an extremely efficient hook that’s simple and crisply structured and is absolutely the song’s most memorable and striking section.
With a mix that effortlessly handles such a delicate and saturated instrumental palette, ‘Stranger’ sounds balanced and focused. A no-frills indie/dream pop experience with clear leanings toward psychedelia that’s executed with elegance, experience, and grace.
