How to describe Chandeen, the solo female voice of Julia Beyer, is both somewhat lighthearted and brooding. Though not an overly well known name, Beyer has a sound is familiar to many American indie bands.
Early works were atmospheric, classically folky, as in a songs such as “Mountains”, “Into The Wild”, “Blood Red Skies” or “City Lights”. Yet here she is more inspired perhaps, if at times too familiar, see the broad numbers “Wild At Heart”, “Light”, “Cause It’s Slow” or “Vanish”. All of these hold onto something of the quasi-alternative intimate nature of Chandeen.
The opener, “Summer Fling”, is really where it is at, an outreaching and fluctuating guitar tone begin the record, followed by equally moving verse and chorus. This continues through most of release, tracks like “Ocean Mind”, “Let There be Fire”, and “Wild at Heart” all hold something truly personal and cosmically drenched keys, or guitar, will take them further. “I Don’t Care if I’m Wasted” is a bit more melodrama, but the reaching nature of Vanish and the emotion of “All Ghosts” and “You’re In a Trance” surround that well, while the attunement to German music and previous songs like “A Last Goodbye” make this album really stand out still.
Drama be damned, Vanish is an electric, aura filled, really good release from an American sounding German band, Chandeen.
