GEMZ has today released their debut EP titled ‘See The Future’ via Sonic Ritual Recordings. More than pop and more than electronic; these are songs that pick you up and pull you in. This initial listen has an excitement about it that takes angelic vocal harmonies and surrounds them with atmospheric rhythms and punctual beats that highlight the highs and envelope the lows. Masterful sound production and ‘grand hall’ recording sounds and feelings give an almost orchestral vibe to a set of electronic instruments.
About ‘See The Future’
GEMZ’s ‘See The Future’ EP features five songs that are statements of empowerment, all of which tackle the human experience of learning, growing and healing from various life difficulties and past traumas. The EP is an optimistic viewpoint on how tough challenges can also be an inspiration for positive change and self-transformation.
While the first single “Younger” (released earlier this year) is a metaphor for healing and is about “Loving life again, through the eyes and spirit of your younger self, before all the fucked-up shit happened to you,” the newest single (“Cycle Stops With Me”) it’s an optimistic upbeat indie-pop track that touches on themes of positively shifting behavioral patterns in all relationships – family, friendships, communities, and culture.
About GEMZ
This project known as GEMZ initially originated from a voice memo of “Younger” that singer-songwriter Jen Wood had stored with other song ideas back in 2017 and was kept untouched in “The Vault” until 2022 when she re-invited former Seattle electronic musician and producer Ted Chen to peruse her ideas for potential material. After picking back up on the song in 2022, the song and project finally began to take shape and Jen’s excitement grew, saying she was “blown away” and “beyond delighted” with the “magical ideas” he added.
As a solo artist, Jen released nine indie releases between 1993 and 2014. In 2003, she took a short diversion to join The Postal Service as a guest vocalist on its debut album, Give Up (she dueted with Ben Gibbard on “Nothing Better” and provided backing vocals on “Such Great Heights”) and also performed with them at select live shows.
Ted Chen has been a part of a range of Seattle-based indie projects, including an electro-pop band he started with his sister called CMYK (a.k.a. The Long Ranger) from 2004 – 2010 who became a go-to opener for many of their indie music heroes that toured through the city like The Go! Team, Jamie Lidell, Digitalism, Tegan and Sara, and Ghostland Observatory, to name a few. In 2004, he was signed to Delicious Label with indie rock band The Stereo Future.
Featured image by Kelly Segre.
LINKS:
https://www.instagram.com/gemz_songs/
https://hypeddit.com/y4rekg