LATE ASTER | AMERICAN PANCAKE - REVIEW

Late Aster - "Safety Second"

by American Robb

September 2023

The ramping up synths and overall emotional sensations while listening to "Ripple", no less LIVE, by Late Aster, San Francisco based musicians Aaron Messing (vocals, keyboards, trumpet) and Anni Hochhalter (vocals, French horn, drum machine) in collaboration with Brooklyn based musicians Charles Mueller (guitar, bass, audio engineering), and Cameron LeCrone (drums and percussion), is both a beautiful and alarming thing.

Discussing “Ripple”, Late Aster noted, “We were so taken with the undeniably spiritual experience of trips to Black Rock Desert. The stark and stunning landscape made for a perfect backdrop for ‘Ripple’ and its accompanying video. The track opens with an ominous and pitch bendy synthesizer, and culminates in a French horn soliloquy floating on top of a pulsing electronic brass texture.”

The hard percolating edges, combined with haunting vocals and blend of horns and keys creates an emotional synesthesia. For me, at times the sensation is like a growing panic attack that doesn't happen. You might feel something different, of course, but whatever you are feeling I would venture to say that it is a compelling experience. How could it not be. This incredibly artful dreaminess that Late Aster creates feels stunningly otherworldly and perfect for film. I could see their creations used with great effect in works that cross boundaries, or reshape them all together, like Kristoffer Borgli's 'Dream Scenario' or Charlie Kaufman's 'Being John Malkovich'.

"Ripple" by Late Aster feels so immersive, a dream within a dream.