Fthrsn Colors

Ann Arbor's Macklin Underdown, aka creator of electro-pop enterprise Fthrsn (pronounced Father Son), has recently released Hysteria via Speaker Snacks. Hysteria is a collection of six lo-fi tracks that transport sundrenched beams of light through attractive beats and addictive melodies built around Underdown's dazed vocals.

"Hysteria" frantically starts off with a harsh tribal beat eventually joining effortlessly with hazed vocals and tropical build. This sort of ethnic engagement continues with "Tony Carter" and "Nothing's The Matter."

Hysteria's standout gem, "Colors," starts off delicately before unfurling into a melodious frenzy of sparkling, danceable beats, leaving the sounds to lead the track until the chorus where his vocals stretch to a ghostly register.

"So Long" is a more mellowed out tune that begins with hazy, crackling beats and tropical drumbeats building up to a full burst of spacious melody.

"Only Happy" has that Washed Out charm, with a fuzzy beginning lasting about 20 seconds, then almost immediately shifting into a heavy bass with Underdown's reverberated croon. Mid-way through the track, the mood shifts into tribal chanting and constant drum beatings on what sounds like wood percussions.

Fthrson makes a nostalgic and overall impressive debut that leaves its listener in a stoned trance, caught somewhere in-between a tropical island and African tribe. This jungle of songs draws inspiration from several corners of the world while still coagulating a uniquely solid album.

Aside from creating music under the pseudonym Fthrsn, Underdown is a Performing Art Technology student at University of Michigan and blogger of music website, Zen Tapes.

Download Hysteria on Fthrsn's Bandcamp here.