Genre/Influences: Industrial trip-hop, experimental.
Background/Info: Deer is a Mexican male-female duo based in Hong Kong. “Portraits” is the debut-EP featuring 4 songs. The title reflects imaginary stories inspired by the artists’ stay in Hong Kong.
Content: “Portraits” is a weird, but interesting mix between different influences. The songs merge rock-wave together with industrial sound treatments and bombastic trip-hop rhythms. The songs feature female vocal parts.
+ + + : I like Adriana Falcón’s timbre of voice, which sometimes reminds me a bit to the magic of Siouxsie Sioux. She brings something passionate to the production. The vocals are matching with the somewhat raw and industrial-inspired production. I like the mix between the different influences, revealing certain creativity of this duo. I already mentioned most of their influences, but I also like the more psychedelic touch running through the opening cut.
– – – : I regret this EP only features 4 songs so I’m really looking forward to hear more Deer –and hopefully an album. The only single, but important element thing is that this EP is missing a ‘hit’.
Conclusion: “Portraits” is mixing a rough and dirty sound inspired by different music styles together with passionate vocals and sensual beats.
Best songs: “Alive”, “Wild Eyes”.
Rate: (7½).
