Hailing from the heartland of central Ohio, SUMMORE emerges as a force to reckon with in the realm of dark synthpop. This intriguing twosome, Julie lending her sultry vocals and masterful synth artistry, coupled with Justin’s knack for production and synth craftsmanship, amalgamate to birth a unique sound that lures you into their universe.
Summore’s music is an intriguingly brooding siren’s call woven with hypnotic threads. Nestled within these deeply resonant, arpeggiated synth lines, there’s an intriguing juxtaposition: Julie’s melodic vocals pirouette over the dark undercurrents, while introspective lyrics invite the listener to plunge into a poetic abyss. Indeed, SUMMORE isn’t just another synthpop duo – they are an auditory experience, a midnight dialogue between melancholy and melody. They’re here to explore the shadows, one synth note at a time.
The sultry “Magic Pill” is out now, the latest from their upcoming album, New Pain.
At first pass, the lyrics seem to allude to Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World, as the words dance around the fringes of narcotic escapism, skirting the boundary between the physical and the ethereal. Subsequent auditory dives, however, reveal a deeper, rawer narrative imbued with much deeper, more poignant emotional depth. Much like an auditory Rorschach test, Magic Pill peels back layers of metaphor, morphing from an apparent ode to substances into a cathartic outcry of self-realization.
SUMMORE’s live performances lend an intimate vulnerability to their music that strikes a chord within their audience. Lines like “I need a magic pill” reverberate through the crowd, resonating in harmony with the song’s overarching themes. But it’s in their music video where the duo truly flexes their creative prowess.
Deliberately constructed with a haunting, surrealistic lens, the music video veers from the expected and steers you into a disquieting alley of unease and discomfort. Its eerie ambiance creates a jarring disconnect, offering a stark contrast to the song’s initial themes. This intentional deviation isn’t merely for shock value – it’s an artistic twist designed to spark introspection and a re-examination of the song’s context and meaning…and there is a devastating back story to it.
“The music video was filmed after a devastating accident in September 2022,” says the band. “While grabbing a late-night meal after a show, a drunk driver collided with our parked car, instantly altering the course of our lives. Although recovery has been challenging, both physically and emotionally, we remain thankful for our survival and continue to persevere.”
It’s a clever bait-and-switch that SUMMORE pulls off with finesse. By encouraging this renewed analysis, they ensure that their music isn’t just passively consumed, but actively engaged with. Each listen, each view, becomes a journey through a nuanced labyrinth of their making, leading the listener to a deeper understanding of not only their music, but perhaps themselves as well.
”While there is no actual “magic pill” to alleviate our sorrows, we believe that love, compassion, and open communication can help us overcome our difficulties and move forward together,” they say.
Watch the video for “Magic Pill” below:
“Magic Pill” is featured on SUMMORE’s forthcoming LP, New Pain, out August 27, 2023.
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