Originally a popular Seattle’s 2000 tribute act, Haus of Sound took its time building a strong foundation for its eventual evolution to an original band. Heavily influenced by early Linkin Park’s take on alternative rock and nu metal as well as Evanscence’s gothic metal tendencies and vocal experimentations, Haus of Sound aims to carve a unique identity for itself in the Electronic and Alternative Rock scene. The band’s newest single, “Mirage”, released in late June, is a big step forward.
Preceded by the punk-heavy “Anxiety” and “Pain in my Eyes”, “Mirage” maintains a consistent identity with its precedents, while simultaneously showing bolder choices and more complex musical layers. With a controlled synthetic sound-manipulation against a heavy bass, “Mirage” immediately creates a dark and gritty atmosphere for the lyrics to fittingly operate within.
Thematically revolving around the pain of disillusionment, self-deception, and the conflict between what one sees and reality as it is, the lyrical work is a strong continuation of the band’s earlier releases and a loving tribute to the early 2000s’ favored thematic concerns among pop artists. The effect is a curious contained nostalgia that the song doesn’t drown in, instead allowing it to fuse with other influences which lets the song’s distinct identity stand out.
While the instrumental and synthesizer music does a lot of heavy lifting, the single’s most distinct and attractive quality, especially in comparison with Haus of Sound’s earlier releases, is the vocal work. The alternation between lead vocalist Gabrielle’s powerful alt vocals and co-vocalist Dex Morgenstern’s desperate spoken-word verses create a landscape of a conflicted-self that adds thematic depth to the song. Gabrielle’s vocal experimentation with a strained, whispered bridge is a powerful turning point in the song, contrasted against the otherwise confident, rapid vocalization.
If Haus of Sound continues to make similar progression and to show the same boldness, we can expect their debut album Campfire Stories to make a strong landing on its feet.
