Phoeno - Comfort in the Knowing

As Dublin came to a standstill in the throes of lockdown, Phoneo’s cultivation of their present polished sound was taking form. What has emerged from this project is a world within itself that centres around themes of isolation, loss, hope and love. A standout thematic thread for me is the duo’s approach to exploring male mental health, which in its confessional, self-reflectory and vulnerable elements, often goes overlooked. The large, expansive drum sounds and synth-heavy production is reminiscent of early 2010’s pop-rock- a callback to the heyday of The Killers or some of The 1975’s earlier tunes. Nevertheless, this album remains futuristic in its sound, and if anything, offers an optimistic look towards a refreshed rebranding of Dublin’s alternative pop scene. Standout tracks for me include the bold, deeply atmospheric opening track ‘For The Ones I Know I Love’, ‘Made of Stone’- light and groovy, while maintaining a strong confessional message, and ‘Jess’, a sombre, spoken-word break in the album, that harnesses a wonderful, mystical depth and openness, summating the thematic journeys taken throughout the album within itself.