Review: Florina’s “Candy Wrapper” Cassette
Local four piece Florina first popped up on the scene a couple years ago with their EP-length release, String of Pearls. Anchored by Jackie Beckey’s distinctive viola-playing and vocals, comparisons to (long disbanded local group) Brute Heart were inevitable. Now that Florina is following up with a cassette release (Candy Wrapper, out now) those comparisons are still relevant. However it’s terrific to see how the band has also started to flesh out their own unique sound. Beckey is joined by Adam Patterson (so many bands), Michael Gallope (IE), and Paul Borman (Weakwick) and each brings a new element to the band’s sound.
Beckey’s dramatic and alternatingly soaring and fingerpicked viola (and accompanying unearthly vocals) are still very much a focal point of Florina’s sound. In “Uncountable” the addition of an organ melody feels like a fresh start. Alongside Patterson’s peppy drumbeat it almost feels like a slightly more conventional rock/pop direction.
That’s about as conventional as Candy Wrapper gets. “Pap” wraps a propulsive beat in twisting sheets of hypnotic viola sound. “Burp” sounds very much like classic Brute Heart with Beckey’s finger picked viola melody accented by primal howl. “Glossy Packs” ratchets up the tension before “My Old Friend” dials it back (slightly) with the reappearance of the organ and a soothing beat/melody. “Smoky” closes out the original tracks with a couple minutes of buzzy feedback and seesawing viola and finally the cassette closes with an Albatross remix of “Burp.”
Listening to Florina I still struggle to define them as a distinct band as opposed to zeroing in solely on what makes them different from Brute Heart. I am getting there though and Candy Wrapper helps by making those differences a bit more distinctive. Luckily I adore the sounds of both bands so there’s not much to complain about. Highly recommend you check out Candy Wrapper below (or available for stream/purchase here).
