SG78: CASTLEBEAT - Revival [LP]
CASTLEBEAT is the lofi project of Orange County-based musician Josh Hwang. Revival, the stunning follow up to his soft, jubilant 2024 album Stereo, is a continuation of his signature sound from the past decade, but this time, comes with an irresistible slacker pop edge. Written, recorded, and produced on a computer in a garage, Revival wonderfully reiterates that CASTLEBEAT has always been a project built on diy, lofi production, and in so doing, Hwang constantly showcases a brilliant and balanced oscillation between various textures and melodies. Revival takes inspiration from the best parts of post-punk, dream pop, synthpop, shoegaze, and hip hop, becoming the slightest bit surreal; the tracks rest on the fine line between the actual and the remarkably cinematic. His meticulous synth work provides a dynamic foundation for his often stoic, thoughtful vocals, and, along with his immense skill in production, what results are perfectly layered, multifaceted soundscapes propelled by their own unique momentum.
Revival’s gorgeous, pensive opener “Way Too Much” is stunning in its elegant simplicity, perfectly setting the tone for the rest of the album as patient, nostalgic, and contemplative, even at its most sanguine; its ruminative tone indicates a slight divergence from the comparably more glossy, unworried atmosphere of Stereo. What takes its place is an almost reverent take on each of these genres; “Ivy League” wades into darkwave territory, with brooding synths and sharp percussion, while “Lies” and closer “Never Seen Your Face” takes inspiration from glitchy post punk. “Call Me” and “With You” are cut from the same vivid synth pop cloth, emitting a bright, carefree atmosphere through delicate glimmering synth effects. There are also classic CASTLEBEAT tracks like “Downtown” and “Heaven,” hearkening back to 2022’s Half Life and 2023’s Nothing. Ultimately, Revival is just that - sixteen tracks that succeed in revitalizing Hwang’s already beautifully variegated take on pop.
SG78: CASTLEBEAT - Revival [LP]