Odesza, Koko, gig review: This Seattle duo are fierce perfectionists
As impressive as it is to witness Odesza’s technical skill, any use of vocals, however well-selected they are, seems synthetic
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Harrison Mills and Clayton Knight are perfectly in sync with one another; each track segues seamlessly into the next, or else ends abruptly.
Switching from decks to drums, with gorgeous visual displays at their backs, the Seattle duo are fierce perfectionists; they communicate with the slightest of nods, a twitch of the hand, even a smile.
They are helped considerably by the small brass section who march on and off stage every few tracks: adding texture to the more artificial instrumentation as they sweep through 2014’s album In Return, from the trippy, chime-filled “Koto” to the more mellow “Bloom”.
What is lacking, in this show at least, is a live vocalist to round things out. As impressive as it is to witness Odesza’s technical skill, any use of vocals, however well-selected they are, seems synthetic. Yet it’s an unexpectedly engaging show. After wondering how an act – whose music is among work referred disparagingly to by some as “sad bangers” – could make a live performance worthwhile, it seems they have it all figured out.
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