Review
Pearly Drops’ debut album, Call For Help, feels like a haunting love letter to ’80s new wave and synth-pop, tinged with the icy intimacy of modern dream pop. The Finnish duo, Sandra Tervonen and Juuso Malin, built a reputation in the Helsinki music scene through production work before stepping into the spotlight themselves. This album reveals a delicate balance between shimmering, nostalgic synths and introspective, often melancholy lyrics, inviting listeners into a hazy, introspective soundscape.
Tracks like “Bloom for Me” and “Winter” showcase the duo’s knack for blending atmospheric synth layers with haunting vocals, creating a sound that’s both immersive and strangely comforting. Each track seems to waver between euphoria and melancholy, reflecting a conflicted narrative that questions whether to “stay or vanish,” in their words. This tension is encapsulated in the title track, where the production hints at influences from Erasure, New Order, and Blondie, but with a ghostly edge all its own.
At times, Call For Help teeters on the edge of synth overload, with dense layers that could feel overwhelming if not for the airy, introspective tone that runs through the album. This is especially true in tracks like “Smokescreen” and “Nightmare Screen,” which dive into the darker realms of dream pop and post-punk influences. It’s a nostalgic, cinematic experience for listeners drawn to the ethereal side of electronic music.
If you’re a fan of dreamy soundscapes and a bit of ‘80s new wave allure, Call For Help offers a beautifully eerie ride through Pearly Drops’ world. Each listen reveals new layers, making it an album you want to return to—if only to get lost in its delicate confusion once again. - Alana
