NZCA/Lines: NZCA/Lines

    Yes, just about the weirdest name for a band or title for an album, but NZCA/Lines comes from the Nazca Lines. You know, those geogplyphs in Peru dating back to 650 A.D. created by the Nazca civilization so that thousands of years later we could take picture of them via satellite (just kidding, they may have had something to do with their religion or constellations or whatever and can actually be seen from atop the surrounding foothills). Regardless, NZCA/Lines is a chill, R&B and Aaliyah inspired group that plays around with [let's be honest] 80's pop-electronica (with a self-labeled genre of CS-60, which is simply an older lite version of the CS-80 Yamaha synthesizer). Their debut, NZCA/Lines, just dropped fairly recently on February 27, 2012, on Lo Recordings; and though I have never heard of it until today seems to be doing pretty well--reviews I've read being positive. NZCA/Lines is based in London and is headed by Michael Lovett. Otherwise, not a super amount of information out about NZCA/Lines. They do not have a Wikipedia page (come on, if you want to be taken seriously, or if you are someone, you have a Wikipedia entry nowadays!). Anyway, their website is here.
    I should mention right off the bat (after all that introductory stuff) that NZCA/Lines is not necessarily my style. It is not nearly my favorite album--won't make my top 15 for 2012 even. But, at the same time there is something that draws me to it. The lushness, the airy vocals in octaves or falsetto and the deep bass timbres. It reminds me of a cheap recording project some people do on their laptop or in their home studio. The beats are kind of fake sounding, but not horrible and definitely not to the point of that even worse 80's sound that I cannot stand. Their music is completely synth driven and yet remains interesting, with a nice balance between slower and more upbeat songs. Basically, if I did not like it at all, I would not be sharing it.
    A few different places to get a taste of their music. First, a complete track listing and review, here, on BBC Music. Then, check out this site here that has fairly long samples of the entire album. Also, a few full songs on SoundCloud, with two remixes, here. And, their Facebook has one song that the other doesn't I believe, here. Then, an official video of their first single, "Compass Points", on Vimeo here (very trippy, angular and kaleidoscopic). Finally, I have linked their song "Okinawa Channels" over under the 'Monthly Sample Tracks'. Hope you enjoy or at least hear a little different side of music!