Denver’s electro-pop darlings are in the studio brewing up some deeper, darker EDM, but we’ve got a sneak peak for you to steal here.
When NME, the UK authority on all things EDM, wrote about Denver’s in the publication’s column on buzzworthy artists, they described the debut EP, 2011’s “Hidden Behind Trees,” as establishing the crossroads of “witch house and dreamwave.” Flash/Lights has described its music as “narcotic pop.” Honestly, it sometimes seems like EMD genres are just made up as we go along, which is totally fine for a nuanced genre. In the case of Flash/Lights, all of these labels fit, made up or not, and they all can succinctly be described as “electro pop.”
Since the NME nod, Flash/Lights has gone on to surf the the swell of EDM’s popularity. Comprised of an ever-changing roster of Denver musicians, with vocalist/producer Ethan Converse the only consistent member, Flash/Lights music is a bit spooky at times (think: witch), kind of ethereal (think: dream), and mostly subdued (think: narcotic). Combine the three and add pop vocals and you have a good idea of what to expect. But this doesn’t say it all.
Those that may poo-poo EDM, struggling to understand its massive popularity, have never been to a live show. Some music needs to be heard really loud, but EDM needs to be heard really loud and live. Flash/Lights is known for the live show, featuring smoke and lights that augment the music so well that the visuals can be seen as an essential component to the music. Outside of the atmosphere created at live EDM shows, the music can come off flat and repetitive. You need to have at least been to a live show, so you have something to recall when listening to EDM in your car. This music is as much experience as sound.
The past year, Flash/Lights has been encoring shows with “Haunt Me Forever,” a previously unreleased track available for download below. The track is off an album Ethan is working on right now, and his rep at says the music is evolving, becoming “deeper and darker.” What’s deeper and darker than witches dreaming in a narcotic nod? We’re just gonna have to wait and see, while drafting new EDM genre monickers.
Please note that downloads offered via Steal This Track are intended to whet your appetite, and are NOT CD-quality recordings. If you want those, please support the artists by buying their music and/or seeing them live.
If you’re a band or musician ready to expose your fresh sounds to the readers of Reverb, email your tracks — along with any interesting facts about them, as well as a photo or album art — to Steal This Track for consideration.
Josh Johnson is a Denver freelance writer and Reverb contributor. He is also a co-host/co-producer of the Denver podcast . He’s also a journeyman butcher. Seriously.
