Bedroom Community have never been short on putting out engaging and atmospheric acts among their roster. One of their latest artists is the Reykjavik-based trio
aYia. Delivering icy synths, pulsating beats, and haunting vocals, the outfit made their appearance in 2016 with the track "Water Plant," decidedly going on to release just one song a year before putting out their debut LP. Such sporadic output has maintained an intriguing air of mysticism around
aYia, making their first album all the more enticing -- and it does not disappoint. Highlights are tracks such as "Slow," in which ethereal pads carry the track bar to bar with cryptic sound design adorning thudding bass drum, before giving way to an ominous bridge section with wavering bass synth and ghostly vocals. "New Moon" is a more up-tempo cut with major arpeggiated synth melodies, while closer "Sparkle" builds to an almost alarming crescendo that brings together all the sonic elements from the eight tracks that proceed it. The record is an intriguing piece of work that manages to pull the listener in without ever being too over-detailed in its mix, preferring to focus on the substance of the separate moments' ideas that it does explore. ~ Rob Wacey