Pacificuv’s Masterful Space Pop [stream]

Dreams and deep space both contain expansive, limitless domains, always morphing and always mysterious. PacificUV, who hail from Athens, GA, share these qualities, even labeling their sound loosely as both dream pop and space rock. While these two depictions can’t fully describe their music, they still help to lay the groundwork.

Their fourth record, After the Dream You Are Awake, may very well be their most masterful work to date. The album’s impeccable production and mixing lends itself to an overall purity of sound and an extremely gratifying listening experience. The depth of the lyrical content is impressive and meaningful, referencing apocalyptic visions and infinite longings and confirming that recruiting poet Laura Solomon to join the band was a brilliant decision. Alien synths and clean instrumentation complement the gracefully-gentle, chill vocals, instilling a cinematic feel when the electronics fuzz over and allow for some distortion. Incorporating shoegaze and post-rock elements into their sound landscape, they balance the equation and prove they’ve been around since 1998 for a reason — chops galore.

After the Dream You Are Awake is a complete, stunning work that feels both conceptually and sonically unified. These nine tracks from PacificUV transport you into an alien atmosphere of ravishing depth and textures, guaranteeing return visits. You can catch them playing The Rock Shop May 22 and Pianos May 23.