Auckland’s Echomatica have created a debut that pulls you into their world from the first whispered note, and this self-titled record lives in the space between dream pop haze and trip-hop groove, where analogue warmth meets modern production sharpness.
Charlie Maclean’s rich and breathy vocals float over hypnotic beats and shimmering guitars, creating an atmosphere that’s both cinematic. Standout tracks like “Love Isn’t Always” and “Something” showcase that they can balance darkness with melodic hooks that stick in your soul, and the rhythm section locks in tight while layers of reverb-soaked guitars and synths build these expansive soundscapes that never feel overdone.
This is a late-night transmission that nods to Portishead and Beach House without copying them. Each song flows naturally into the next, building toward the closing track “Pretending We’re Human” which leaves you wanting to start the whole journey again, this is a band that respects the album format and delivers accordingly.
If you want to keep up with what Echomatica does next and see behind-the-scenes content from this talented Auckland outfit, you should follow them on Instagram at @echomatica_band where they share updates about their music and upcoming shows.
