FAIRMONT plays the Drake Hotel Underground tonight (Thursday, October 25). See listing. Rating: NNNN
Toronto’s Jake Fairley is known for making warm, stripped-down techno under his own name, gloomy new wave pop with his band Bishop Morocco and something in between those two poles as Fairmont. Automaton, his latest release under the latter moniker, isn’t a drastic departure from his previous Fairmont releases, but it is a more refined and mature version of his minor-key dream pop sound. The dance music influences are tighter and more confident, while his songwriting and echo-drenched vocals suggest he’s picked up a few tricks from playing with Bishop Morocco.
If your only exposure to dance music is through the contemporary mainstream EDM scene, you might find all this a little too laid-back and restrained, but if you have the patience you’ll be rewarded with very rich analog textures and hypnotic grooves. Similarly, if you’re looking for yet another Joy Division-tribute indie electro album, this might feel much more club-friendly than you’re used to, but you’ll find yourself humming these melodies long after the album is finished.
Top track: Creatures Of Night
