Review ~ Katie Dey – asdfasdf­ ~ by Michael Charles Hansford

It’s been almost a year since my last album review, so I apologize if any of my writing seems a bit dreamy, misshapen, or short of wanderlust. However, the show must go on: and today, I reviewing my favorite album of the last two weeks. The debut release ”asdfasdf” from underground sensation Katie Dey.

I stumbled upon this album over a massive twitter selected post. From many lo-fi/DIY legends of our time: Sam Ray, Mat Cothran, and a few others. I immediately decided to check it out, and after the first 5 seconds of twinkle acoustic guitars and pitch affected vocals I sunk into the esquire of the wonderful world of Katie Dey. Although these days, the underground happenings of thrust ward “bedroom pop” can be oversaturated, Katie seems to break the surface, her instrumentation is stunning and the immense talent that lies within her writing outstanding. The freshness of this album itself is what always draws me to through it on after a long day at work. I actually listened to it a couple weeks ago on a train ride from Montreal to Toronto, and believe me: not only was it fitting, it was an escape.

When it comes to similar sounding artists or perhaps even influences I can hear sounds from early Krautrock experimental bands from the 1970’s: Can, Cluster, and even Neu! In more recent cases I can hear similar sounds capes to Radiohead, Ricky Eat Acid, Boards of Canada, and Aphex Twin. Thought again, I have to stress how originality is the nail-biting true love that blossoms from this album. I see great things in the future for this artist, and I hope you reading take some time to enjoy something new in this negative calorie world.

You can pick up the album for “pay what you can” on Katie’s Bandcamp.

Favorite track: “you gotta get up to get up”

Text by Michael Charles Hansford
Photo by Katie Dey