Electronic duo Phantogram has been captivating audiences with their brand of genre-bending Alternative Pop since their formation in 2007. Hailing from Saratoga Springs, NY, the duo of Josh Carter and Sarah Barthel blend dreamy synth sounds, hypnotic beats, and ethereal melodies to create a sound that is both atmospheric and catchy. Phantogram's style draws on a diverse range of influences, making them a unique presence in the modern music landscape.
The group’s breakthrough came with the release of their 2010 debut album, Eyelid Movies, and over the years, the duo has continued to evolve and experiment with different soundscapes. Phantogram also became a festival staple across the globe, and found themselves on tour with Arcade Fire, Kings of Leon, Queens of the Stone Age, and many other diverse acts.
Phantogram’s fifth album, the newly-released Memory of a Day, continues their tradition of dreamy vocal melodies laced over electronic beats, and lyrically it revolves around the concept of time travel as it pertains to music. “We put these songs together as a capsule, thinking about how a certain sound or melody can bring you back instantly to a memory of a day,” the duo explains.
While they were recording, Phantogram fixated on life calendars, a gridded sheet in which each unit represents a single week of a person’s life. As you fill in the grid, you witness the progression of your life in stark terms. The older you get, the darker the grid becomes, reminding you of how much time you have lived, and how little you may have left. “It’s this exploded view,” Phantogram says. “Like an image of Earth from a distance.”
Alongside special collaborators like Mikky Ekko and Dan Wilson, Phantogram was joined in the studio by producer John Hill, who helmed their second album, Voices. Stand out tracks include “It Wasn’t Meant to Be,” as Barthel’s sad lyrics about a broken relationship are delivered in stark contrast to the breezy, ebullient music. A funky bassline drives the upbeat “Running Through Colors,” as Barthel reflects on fading memories and dreams. The psychedelic “Come Alive” was written after Barthel experienced a transformative live show, and Carter takes over the lead vocals on the melancholy album closer, “Memory of a Day,” a heart-wrenching song recounting the death of his beloved dog.
Triple A stations have been gravitating toward different tracks from the album, including “Attaway,” “All a Mystery” and “Come Alive.” Radio Milwaukee, KUTX, WFUV and WRLT have been leading the charge. Be sure to catch the energetic duo on their Running Through Colors tour, kicking off January 15 in Las Vegas and running until February 28 in Hollywood, CA.
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