Ciinema’s debut release “Planet Eyes” has impressed to say the least. Merging heartwarming, infectious and anthemic together, “Planet Eyes” provides a refreshing take on alternative pop music. Produced by Guy Harrison, the track features low-key drums, grooving bass lines and impactful synth lines. The instrumental is immersive with its ever changing dynamics and textures with vocals land softly, working hand in glove with well-penned lyrics. Accompanying is an immersive music video.
Speaking about this they say: “The Planet Eyes music video is a spaced-out daydream that muses on flirtation, wonderment, and the endless possibilities which romantic ambiguity inspires mentally.”
Influenced by the likes of Little Dragon, Phoebe Bridgers, FKJ, and Tom Misch, New Zealanders Elizabeth Cameron and Lane Twigden (Ciinema) have quickly cemented themselves as rising stars within the music industry. Blending poetic song writing, dreamy synths and soulful grooves together, the band’s music pays homage to many different genres and inspirations. Now based in London, Ciinema are looking ahead to the release of their self titled E.P (scheduled for Friday 30th June).
Speaking about the upcoming project they say: “The genesis of this EP stretches back to rosier pre-pandemic times when a headspace filled with the possibilities of new and old romances felt bigger than the place the world ended up for a significant period of our youth. This EP tells the story of ambiguous power plays of love, sex, and friendship (Planet Eyes, The Designers, Light Me Up, Cruel Inventions). The songs are a a kind of ode to the sublime jeopardy that comes with navigating one’s self into a more grown up kind of love. But ultimately, the lyrics relate to appreciating and enjoying the turmoil and dramatics of this process because you only get to experience it once.
The EP also touches on the tension between trying to exist as an artist while surviving the nine to five of working in medical imaging as a radiographer (Safe As Houses, Lockdown). It’s about seeing what you do within a hospital environment on a daily basis and wondering if the gravity of that makes dedicating yourself to a creative pursuit less or all the more important. At the end of the day, beauty and whimsy can hold the same gravity as life and death when your daily life exists somewhere between science and art.
Sonically, the songs are a dreamy mix of reverb fuelled guitars, soaring jubilant synthesisers, with a rhythmic blend of electronic drums layered with more eclectic forms of percussion. This is pop music that aims to envelop the listener in an immersive and comforting way. We hope these songs are a dreamy reprieve for whatever the listener happens to be going through, and that despite the heaviness of recent times, they can listen to Ciinema and feel like it’s okay to dive headfirst into the nostalgia of youth, imagination, and desire.”
