REVIEW

The seventeenth album from shoegaze / trip-hop duo SPC ECO.

SPC ECO is the long-running project of former Curve member Dean Garcia and his daughter, Rose Berlin. Following the marathon-like release run that began after the tenth album “Fifteen,” during which the duo issued new material on a near-monthly basis, the project entered a brief hiatus in 2023. This release marks their return after roughly a year of relative silence.

Musically, SPC ECO continues to build on the legacy of Curve’s industrial-leaning shoegaze while expanding it into a broader, more atmospheric framework. Brooding, weighty rhythms reminiscent of Massive Attack form the foundation, while layers of ethereal beauty—often associated with acts such as Cocteau Twins or Tamaryn—float above the surface. Although the project once leaned more heavily toward darker trip-hop territory, this album reintroduces textured, luminous guitar work throughout, resulting in a carefully balanced blend of shoegaze and trip-hop.

Among the highlights are #3 “Look Down” and #7 “Touch The Light,” both featuring Diamond Ray. These tracks unfold with a sense of graceful suspension, suggesting the sensation of drifting through space and passing slowly through glowing nebulae. They exemplify the album’s ability to combine heaviness with a striking, almost weightless beauty.

Garcia’s creative momentum remains notably undiminished. In recent years, he has continued to release new SPC ECO material while also contributing to projects such as Blurred City Lights, demonstrating a sustained curiosity and drive. Looking back across SPC ECO’s extensive catalog, one finds a remarkable range: brighter, more uptempo material from the “The Art of Pop” period, minimalist and spatial explorations, and noise-saturated shoegaze that directly channels Curve’s influence. The throughline is a persistent spirit of exploration rather than repetition.

This new album stands as another reminder of SPC ECO’s enduring ability to refine and reimagine their sound. For those willing to immerse themselves, it offers yet another invitation to drift outward—into a familiar yet ever-expanding sonic cosmos.

For listeners unsure where to begin within SPC ECO’s vast discography, a few entry points may help.

【Shoegaze】

3 D (2010)
You Tell Me (2011)
Sirens and Satellites (2013)

【Dark】

Dark Notes (2012)
Dark Matter (2015)
All We Have Is Now (2016)
Anomalies (2016)
Fifteen (2019)

【Pop】

The Art of Pop (2014)