Gardens & Villa brings ’80s synth pop sound to downtown
Gardens &Villa is one of those bands that’s at once of the moment and of the past.
The Santa Barbara, Calif.-based indie rock quintet’s sound is evocative, at times, of ’80s synth pop with its chiming, radiant keys and pleading, heart-in-a-vice vocals.
Add in some sweet Ron Burgundy-worthy jazz flute, some propulsive digital beats here and there and assertive, body working bass lines, and it all starts to feel less and less anachronistic.
The band’s latest record, the moody, ruminative “Dunes,” is like an overcast day in Las Vegas, all the more welcomed for its pockets of cloud coverage.
Contact reporter Jason Bracelin at jbracelin@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0476. Follow @JasonBracelin on Twitter.