Fascinations Grand Chorus - "Terror In The Night: Act 1"
You’re probably used to hearing bright sounding retro-pop from Jersey City’s Fascinations Grand Chorus, so you might be a little surprised to learn that they’re planning on releasing three horror-themed albums over the course of the next year. However, if you closely follow the duo on social media, you know their aesthetic embraces a kind of kitschy nostalgia. They love things like Disney’s Epcot Center, the Muppets, Garfield, E.T., old toys, and almost anything with an orange or brown hue. Their fondness for classic horror films is also a big part of their aesthetic, and they plan on exploring it in more detail through this series of releases. The first EP in the trio, Terror In The Night: Act 1, dropped last week, and it taps into their love of this genre of film, laying the narrative foundation for a summer horror film set at a summer camp.
Sonically, Terror In The Night: Act 1 contains all the ingredients that make Fascinations Grand Chorus great and unique, but with lyrics that seem to set the early plot of a slasher flick - you know, the part where everything seems a little too perfect and nothing could go possibly wrong. The first track, “Camp Blood,” immediately floods the senses with warm analog synths and a catchy, sing-along inducing refrain that spells out the title - effectively introducing us to the setting where this scary story will play out. “Rest Of Our Lives” propels the overarching narrative forward with an injection of the kind of melodrama that’s a key characteristic of these type of summer flicks, embodied by the lyric “this summer is the start of the rest of our lives.” The punchy melodies continue to dominate on “On Summer Holiday,” a song that introduces some dazzling girl-group inspired harmonies into the sonic fold. “Sunny Day - A Tale Of Heartbreak” is a swooning tale of heartache that sets the stage for the last track, “Final Warning,” which is a bit of a cliff hanger that’s ominously foreboding. Up until this point, the lyrics of each song seem to only slightly allude to some potential danger lurking about, but here, it’s way more explicit: “You think it's paradise but one by one you'll all begin to fall. Just take my word 'cause I know. The legends are true and I know. Your fate is on you and I know. Watch out. This is is your final warning.” We’re waiting with bated breath for Act 2, as it seems like things are about to get pretty spooky. You’ve been warned!
You can purchase Terror In The Night: Act 1 via Bandcamp. The EP is also available on all streaming platforms, including Spotify. Keep up with the band by following them on Instagram and liking them on Facebook.
