Jon Derosa - Anchored

Anchored is the debut solo release for Jon DeRosa, best known as leader of the Brooklyn-based drone-pop band Aarktica. With his eponymous solo release, DeRosa's sound evolves from the frozen tundra of Aarktica to the deeply enigmatic moan of the open sea. Adding his own rich baritone voice to a landscape dominated by strings, horns and the guitar atmospherics of his previous projects, DeRosa's sonic maturation is one of noir elegance. DeRosa's new musical incarnation is enveloping cinematic pop, a dark troubadour style reminiscent of Lou Reed or Robert Wyatt, or more directly Paul Buchanan of the Blue Nile. In tone, his new work can be compared to Spiritualized, or Echo and the Bunnymen, with the title track, "Anchored" being perhaps DeRosa's own "Ocean Rain." Following is the deception of "Snow Coffin," a sweet lullaby of indie-pop belying a tale of murder and betrayal in the dark of winter. In his brooding ballad "Ladies in Love," DeRosa borrows from the poetry of serial killer Charles Schmid, the notorious "Pied Piper of Tucson." the album closes with a warm lull of vibes and horns in his update of the Chills'"Submarine Bells.