Rating: NNNN
It’s hard to pin New Chance to one genre, so it makes sense that the debut EP from local producer Victoria Cheong seamlessly traverses so many sonic landscapes over just five songs.
One minute, It Says New Chance touches on ambient and new world sounds, and the next it switches to deep house and 80s electro.
Variety comes naturally to the multidisciplinary artist and DJ, who’s collaborated on everything from visual art and film to dance projects in mainly DIY settings. (The EP is out on local collective Bedroomer.) Cheong also sings backup vocals on Jennifer Castle’s new album, Angels Of Death, sang on Lido Pimienta’s Polaris Prize-winning La Papessa, co-owns local label Healing Power Records and is part of a vocal improv trio with Castle and Isla Craig called IC/JC/VC.
Her solo debut is murky and disorienting in the best way. Opener Forever Is A Place begins with a meditation on love. The word is repeated in three-part harmony before samplers and sequencers create a downtempo backdrop for Cheong’s soothing vocals.
This moody atmosphere dominates the first half of the record, at times bordering on New Age. Things take a turn on RUN RUN RUN!, which gradually builds into a deep-house banger. The bass line twists and turns as synth chords drip overtop, enticing you onto the dance floor.
The final track keeps the energy going while returning to the theme of love. Set over a classic house beat, That’s Not What Happened might be the most accessible track of the bunch. But in true New Chance fashion, the song resists a singular sound, suggesting that the project can be whatever Cheong wants it to be.
Top track: RUN RUN RUN!
New Chance plays an EP release party on Friday (May 25) at Unit 2. See listing for details.
michelled@nowtoronto.com | @michdas
