A few songs into Twin Sister’s debut and you realise those comparisons to Portishead and the Cocteau Twins are not wholly wrong. But while the five-piece have been repeatedly labelled as ‘chillwave’ and ‘dream pop’, there are more influences lurking below the surface of their sound than lazy pigeonholing allows.
There is a strong dreamlike force in what they do. Estrella is the Spanish word for “star”. That is quite apt as lead singer Andrea Estrella’s vocals are as spacey as you can get this side of the moon. Opening number ‘Daniel’ comprisdes ambient soundscapes backed up by pulsating drums and Estrella’s intimate voice. The same formula of chiming synths, dreamy vocals and pounding beats shows up time and time again, particularly on the psychedelic ‘Stop’ and the somewhat, well, spacey ‘Space Babe’.
On ‘Bad Street’, below the synths and heavy drum beats there is a strong undercurrent of funk and a generous nod to ‘80s hip-hop. The album’s standout, however, is ‘Kimmi In A Rice Field’ whose ethereal roots are drawn from ‘80s pop.
Meanwhile, a quick head trip to ‘Spain’ sees rock riffs bubble above the surface. With its shades of desert rock, it wouldn’t be out of place on a Sergio Leone movie.
For those who seemed determined to box Twin Sister into dream-pop packaging, this is the end of the line. Where music of this quality is concerned, genres become unimpportant..