The name, The Bronzed Chorus, perfectly captures the warm, harmonious sound of this Greensboro, NC math rock duo. Guitarist Adam Joyce pairs his signature melodic tone with Hunter Allen’s dynamic percussion, setting this band apart in the genre. Following two full-lengths and 2011’s Gleaning EP, their new album Summering showcases the band in peak form.
The absence of vocals is forgotten from the first notes of opener “Don’t Go To That Pool Party” as Joyce picks out intricate layers of melody, while “Books” features Allen’s incredible syncopated drumming. On “Cowabunga, Ohio”, the merengue-tinged beat syncs with Joyce’s shifting tone, building to a rich, polyrhythmic climax.
With each track, The Bronzed Chorus demonstrates emotional maturity grounded in technical skill. “Tin Roof Burrito” builds on its sludge roots into a round robin of octaves and pitch-bended harmony. “Hounds of the Barrier” exemplifies the band’s ability to push and pull with sweeping beauty in their songs.
The Bronzed Chorus can be thoughtful one minute and frantic the next, as in “How Gooda Friends Are Ya?” and the 4-bit freak out of “Rodeo Rodeo”. Closing track “Widdley Wah (Till the Break of Dawn)” sounds like the very definition of a bronzed chorus washing over you.
The Bronzed Chorus have created a sound all their own. Summering is an instrumental album filled with depth and emotion. It rewards repeated listens. A four week US tour beginning in late September will be followed by a European Tour with labelmates Self-Evident in April 2017.