Rich Aucoin – Ephemeral
4/5
Halifax’s music scene continues to boom with talented new artists, and familiar names keep getting better and better. Haligonian Rich Aucoin has released his second full-length album Ephemeral, and although “Ephemeral” means to last a very short amount of time, the album keeps the partying going for much longer.
Starting off the album with only electronic instrumentals, the thought-provoking “Meaning of Life” slowly adjusts the listener to the bass-pumping, dance music that Aucoin is best known for.
“Want to Believe” throws the album head first into a dance-craze musically, and finding optimism in a difficult situation lyrically.
Techno-based track “Yelling in Sleep“ adds melody and texture to electronic music and you can almost hear Rich Aucoin having fun with his equipment as he wrote the song.
“They Say Obey”, one of the best tracks off Ephemeral, kicks off with a frenzy of noise, calms into the verse, then blows up into a chaotic chorus that could teach commercial DJs a thing or two.
Sounding like a cross between Arcade Fire and Foster the People, “City I Love“ hits all the right notes for a fun and song worth sharing.
Putting the “fresh” in “freshman”, “Four More Years” creates a specific sense of youthfulness, bringing back the energy and memories of high school.
Switching gears to a more pensive and soulful sound, “Always the Same” ends the album passionately.
Stream the entire album via Exclaim.ca
Buy the album: www.richaucoin.bandcamp.com
Tour Dates:
08/28 Rouyn-Noranda, QC – FMEAT
09/05 Quebec City, QC – Envol et Macadam
09/06 Montreal, QC – OUMF Festival
09/11-14 Victoria, BC – Rifflandia
09/16 Vancouver, BC – Fortune Sound Club
09/17 Edmonton, AB – The Starlite
09/18 Calgary, AB – Commonwealth Stage
09/23 Brooklyn, NY – Glasslands Gallery
09/24 Boston, MA – Great Scott
10/02 Ottawa, ON – House of Targ
10/03 Kingston, ON – TBA
10/16 Moncton, NB – Tide and Boar Pub
10/17 St. John, NB – Pepper’s Pub
10/18 Charlottetown, PEI – PEI Brewing Co.
10/23 Halifax, NS – Halifax Pop Explosion
