New Jersey, USA-based independent art pop act Soul Dementia first hit my radar earlier this month through Go Joe Go, the opening track of their recently released album. I enjoyed the song so much I thought I better check out the whole album. Described by band leader Tommy Tom as “audio moments, a little confused and sometimes beautiful,” it’s called Sounds from Rivercity.

By Graeme Smith

Soul Dementia take inspiration from the likes of Pink Floyd, Brian Eno, and The Mothers of Invention and it’s that kind of all-encompassing experimentation that you get from their music. It starts right from the off with the aforementioned Go Joe Go, a lively and quirky introduction to their world.

Fall gives us a change of mood with its slow, reflective ode to the season of the same name. Meandering bass meets a pleasing, looping melody. Gimme is a dark, electronic moment teeming with ethereal vocals and plucked strings. At three minutes long, Me is one of the album’s longest tracks and gives us a relatively slow-building arrangement elevated by bright keys and jazzy percussion. It’s a highlight.

All She Needs Is… brings robotic vocals that are somehow full of soul during its reflective and introspective tale. Eddy gives us some a capella before introducing some distorted, groovy instrumental layers. About has a lush atmosphere and delicate vocal harmonies. It’s another highlight.

Rivercity is an upbeat and ambient moment that transports us to the heart of a busy urban environment before Understand? closes the album with a contemplative and vulnerable finish. It manages to say a lot with its minimalism and proves to be a final, slow-burning highlight.

I simply love musicians who aren’t afraid to innovate and push boundaries with their music. Soul Dementia does this in spades, all while keeping things joyous and approachable. I cannot overstate how much I am in love with Sounds from Rivercity. I hope you will be too. You can give the album a listen below.