Album Review: Bayonne - ‘Filters’
- Michael La Torre, Founder
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Austin, TX native Bayonne (Roger Sellers) is back with his fourth release Filters under the Bayonne moniker this Friday wherever you get music! Bayonne has a knack for intricate sonic landscapes and psychedelic-tinged songwriting. He’s not so much a singer/songwriter as he is a composer.
That’s because Bayonne is always hunting intricate loops, sounds , and synth work that defies expectations. When paired with his dynamic vocals, Bayonne creates engaging electronic pop that evokes comps stylistically to Radiohead, Flaming Lips, and Tame Impala (but somehow also not those things and uniquely himself).
Filters is a first for Sellers in that he had help with instrumentation on this one in the form of Matt Toman on drums. In addition to his work on percussion, Toman also assisted Sellers in the visual and artistic direction of Filters. Truthfully, I wish there were a way to highlight any of the songs above the other, but the record is best enjoyed in it’s entirety. Sellers and Toman flow effortlessly from one intricately created track to another. If you made us pick a favorite, we’d have to go with “Multiphase”. Coming in at the midpoint of the record, Sellers vocals are crisp as he works his way around the register, employing a delicate falsetto that pairs perfectly with the electronically created melody. The icing on top of the cake is Toman’s percussion work which is spirited, but reserved in that it doesn’t drown out the vocals or the melody.
In short, Sellers and Toman have achieved a winner with Filters. This just might be one of our favorite records to drop this year in that it has a it of something for everyone. Sellers vocals are soaring at times and reserved when they need to be. The loops and synths are perfect in that they establish a baseline of melody that allows the vocals to be highlighted, while Toman’s percussion pops off the record. It’s astounding that this much was created primarily by two individuals. If you’re remotely into indie, electronic, psychedelic sounds, and/or meticulously crated soundscapes, Filters is for you.
Rating - 9/10
Wow, the 25th‑anniversary vinyl of Everclear’s ‘Songs From An American Movie Vol. One’ really brings the album’s storytelling to life. It’s cool how the tracks capture everyday struggles, almost like a modern take on Human Expenditure Program
The way the review highlights Bayonne’s evolving sound in ‘Filters’ really captures the artist’s growth over time, much like how staying updated with software versions is crucial for optimal performance. It’s a reminder that both music and tech require continuous attention to detail to avoid unexpected pitfalls. end of life database