Review
[The] Caseworker
Letters From The Coast

Dream pop as a genre seems to have made a slight comeback in recent years. While this may be due to many factors more bands are embracing the harmonies of The Cocteau Twins and Chapterhouse. This seems to be a good thing as many of these bands bring other little things into their music as well (Atlas Sound, The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart, A Sunny Day In Glasgow, etc.). So while the genre seemed forgotten as of merely five years ago it has been quietly resurrected in a way.

[The] Caseworker fit into this reanimation of sorts. The band having been kicking around well before most of the bands that would be called their peers have. Since 2003 the band have been quietly releasing beautifully disarming albums of dream pop. While it is debatable how much one can really stay within the genre while experimenting the band have managed to find a happy niche of sorts within the genre. Allowing for a slight bit garage rock turmoil to slip in once in awhile lets the band slide in and out of the genre specifications quite easily.

Certain songs tend to stand out. The band makes use of a trumpet within the context of "The Slow Track". This not only helps the song stand out but, also gives the song a somewhat triumphant quality. "Hogsback" opens with higher tempos giving insight into the bands garage rock influences and splitting the difference between the dreamy and head nodding qualities of the bands songwriting.

The recording is immaculate allowing just enough air into the mix so its own clarity doesn't become a detriment. The guitar chords ring out above the vocals allowing for the dream like quality of the song to remain uninterrupted throughout. Speaking of which, the vocals are in their own pocket of the mix allowing them to almost float along. All of these things help the band to achieve something beautiful.

The record itself is both catchy and gorgeous. The band allows hooks to stick in while the band doesn't rely on slower speeds to help them create their calm states. This is dream pop without insisting on being dreary. That alone is proof that [The] Caseworker are in their own lane. Peaceful, subtle, calm, catchy, beautiful and forceful all at once. The brightness within the songs and the recording help the band stick out amongst their peers. This also shows how much the band truly have worked on their craft over their years. This is something different but familiar at the same time.