Cardiff’s own Plastic Estate has embarked on the next voyage of their musical journey with the release of their brand new single “Open Eyes.”
Moving away from their earlier sound, which resonated with the stylings of Aztec Camera, Lloyd Cole & The Commotions, and Prefab Sprout, the duo ventures into a realm of glossy opulence. This marks their first release in two years, introducing a suaveness enriched with the Hi-Fi luxury of the West Coast and the rhythmic allure of Post-Disco, establishing a stylish new sound for the new wave duo.
Traversing the spectrum of electronic Pop music, from the yacht rock of the late ’70s and the sophisticated pop of the mid-’80s to the glo-fi/chillwave movements and beyond, Plastic Estate has crafted a sound that feels like the perfect amalgamation of these diverse influences.
“Open Eyes” embodies this blend of influences, feeling like a track from a lost 80s film, the kind of flick that represents the communal essence of Pop music and bridges subcultures into a diverse scene coalescing onto one dancefloor.
The song is thoughtful in its measured brightness and intricacy, underscored by a meticulously woven percussive beat. Its suave vocal delivery is ensconced within layers of shimmering melodies, soft keys, jangly guitars with funk accents, and gentle percussion. It’s a sound that evokes the refined synth-pop landscape of The Human League, Bryan Ferry, China Crisis, and Blancmange, offering an auditory allure that one might imagine characters from “Pretty in Pink” enjoying. Picture James Spader’s Steff McKee and Andrew McCarthy’s Blaine lounging on a yacht, with “Open Eyes” setting the soundtrack to their sun-drenched lounging.
Listen to “Open Eyes” below:
Behind Plastic Estate are Nicholas James and Stanley Fouracres, who have become notable figures within Cardiff’s vibrant post-punk scene. Their self-titled debut album in 2022 showcased their ability to blend the echoes of a golden era with the immediacy of modern sounds, and “Open Eyes” continues this narrative, marking a compelling new chapter in their artistic evolution.
“Open Eyes” is out now. Listen to the song via streaming here
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