Vibes. Atmospheric, ethereal vibes. Sonically situated somewhere around 1985-1995, the self-titled debut EP by Still Ruins transports listeners directly to the fog machine synths and lavender bright lights of a time when many of us were just being born. Fans of Cocteau Twins, Depeche Mode, and Clan of Xymox will find much to love about the songwriting here, though this is not just a rehash of nostalgic sounds. Keen listeners will find this familiar to shoegaze outfit Welcome Strawberry, as Cyrus VandenBerghe leads both local Oakland bands. If you haven’t heard them, check out their latest EP Scared to Look.
