Track of the Day: Occurrence – The Remote Past Tense (2023)
Described as “swoon-worthy” (Jammerzine), “…strangeness in its most pure forms” (Glide), and “…unsettling and brilliant all at once” (Atwood Magazine), US-based trio Occurrence are not only turning heads but making them grin at the same time. Let’s go back to the beginning, though. Several years ago, Ken Urban (electronics, synths and beats) reached out to college friend Cat Hollyer (vocals and flute) asking if she would sing on new tracks he was writing. She agreed and Occurrence was born. Once the duo began playing live, Urban’s partner Johnny Hager (vocals) entered as a second vocalist and then Occurrence as we know it was formed.
Quick history of formation over, let’s get into things. From their debut album The Past Will Last Forever in 2016 to the most recent The Remote Past Tense, Occurrence has received critical acclaim on an international scale. In an interview with Lost In The Manor, Occurrence described their music as “nostalgic electronic pop…that captures the backward futurism that we aim for” – and this is elegantly captured in the latest addition to their discography, The Remote Past Tense.
Taken from their new four-track EP, the single ‘The Remote Past Tense’ adopts an experimental electropop sound within a cinematic soundscape. Setting you adrift on a glistening sonic river, you feel calm and soothed by the melody; however, just as you are sitting atop a smooth surface you can easily view the tumultuous waves in the water. Swirling, twirling, pounding away at your boat, a madness ensues beneath. The interesting thing is while there is a chaotic tone slivering through the song, a charming elegance brings everything to rest in this eclectic single.
Unlike their single ‘Fudge’, the frantic obscurity is contained in ‘The Remote Past Tense’. Like their single ‘Fudge’, Hollyer’s vocals are bold, rich and emotive oozing with passion and vulnerability. Hollyer explains that “…some Occurrence songs that lend themselves to me having tight control over my vocals creating a sense of detachment, this [‘The Remote Past Tense’] is not one of them. This song is about every breakup ever. I mined all the details of my relationships as if they were film stills or a slide projector show, really trying to make it visually resonant…”
Exploring human fragility with obscure delicacy, Occurrence unnerves listeners but still consoles them in ‘The Remote Past Tense’.
For more from Occurrence, check out their official website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
