Album Review: “Funhouse Mirror” by Vinyl Floor
Danish rock band Vinyl Floor craft sophisticated, triumphant chamber pop on the downright lovely album “Funhouse Mirror”. The melodies here have a thoughtfulness to them. Lyricism seems drawn from a life lived to the fullest. Rhythms keep a steady pace always with a laid-back attitude to them. Pop reigns supreme on the album, whether it is indie pop, art pop, and other elements brought into the fray.
Instrumentally vibrant, Vinyl Floor’s interplay feels soul-affirming. So much love gets poured into each moment that is easy to get swept up into their hopefulness. For, right at the very core of thing, is a sense of hope that guides the entirety of the journey along.
There are a lot of reference points in this one. For the sheer level of fidelity that the production presents I am reminded strongly of Grizzly Bear’s early output. You can virtually hear ever single creak in the studio from them for it is that clear. The elegant verses recall some of Jon Brion’s pop work, with the urbane sensibility very much there.
Beach Boys also present a bit of Vinyl Floor’s influence, as the choruses and the emotionally complex arrangements feel just pitch perfect. All of these though are mere touchstones, as what they create from these points is something quite uniquely their own.
The quite literal fanfare of “Anything You Want” opens things up in a majestic sweeping fashion. With a hint of playfulness to it, “Click with No Hands” spins about in a theatrical way. Contemplation reigns supreme on “Between Lines Undone”. Elements of jazz pop on through “Dear Apollon” which has an old-school Ben Folds Five aspect to it.
Aptly named “Ever, The Optimist” rolls on through with gleeful abandon, all the way down to that perfect percussion. Vocals soar up to the sky on the epic “Pretty Predictable”. Easily the highlight comes through on the title track “Funhouse Mirror”. Little snippets of nostalgia poke through. Quite an expansive work they end the album off with the ambitious “Days”.
“Funhouse Mirror” shows off the good taste of Vinyl Floor for they deliver an album that has a true sense of timelessness to it.