New Single, Music Video and Remix from Brooklyn Dream-Pop Outfit Monocle

BROOKLYN, N.Y. - May 27, 2013 - PRLog -- ‘Plastic Beach’ is Transpacific Sound Paradise’s most immediately accessible track, marrying  guitar hooks Dick Dale would be proud of, dance or die surf rock beats and the gorgeous vocal stylings of Ana Breton (Dead Leaf Echo). In typical Monocle style the track features subtle dark turns throughout. The song’s wonderful music video, directed by Mark Feinsod, is a playful twist on a trip to the beach, where Rich and Ana flashback to a happier time only to be harassed by a ocean borne garbage monster! The ‘Plastic Beach’ single release comes complete with an awesome remix of ‘Plastic Beach’ by Portland-based Prophetnoise and superb bonus track ‘As I Ride’, a previously unreleased song from the Transpacific Sound Paradise recording sessions.

The five-year gap since Monocle’s debut album Outer Sunset has seen two stunning solo albums by band leader Rich Bennett, which explored a number of areas the Monocle sound hinted at. Transpacific Sound Paradise is the logical and perfect culmination of these progressions. While it’s distinctively a Monocle album, developing the gorgeous template familiar to fans of Outer Sunset, songwriter Rich Bennett brings a different set of influences into focus. On Outer Sunset, it was primarily post-rock, indie electronica and shoegaze, while on Transpacific Sound Paradise there’s Brazilian, new wave, classical, and a soupcon of no wave.

Check out the 'Plastic Beach' video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szyy_0g0MwQ



“Essentially the brainchild of Brooklyn based Rich Bennett whose 2010 mini-album on Hidden Shoal Recordings counts as one of that year’s most understated. Monocle’s debut long player Outer Sunset is a transcendental exercise in ambient dream pop where melody rules supreme. Lead single ‘Chances Glide’ features a vocal contribution from Dead Leaf Echo’s Ana Breton and is frankly, sublime.” – Drowned in Sound on single ‘Chances Glide’
“chases sweeping synth lines with dance-centered bass and vocal melodies. This may be dream pop, but it would fit well into any party that reaches the 23rd hour and exposes the emotional passion only the evening hours pooled with alcohol can construct... three-minute musical bliss” – Space Rock Mountain on single ‘Chances Glide’

Part of their strength as a band is how Monocle re-imagine and craft eclectic musical combinations. Elements of this re-invention include the prominent hand of engineer/co-producer Scott Solter, colourful splashes of brass and strings amid the synths and guitars, and the introduction of Ana Breton (Dead Leaf Echo, ex-Mahogany) on vocals. From the silvery synth stabs that introduce spectacular opening cut ‘Snake’, via the intergalactic cruise-ship groove of stunning single ‘Chances Glide’, to the 21st-century Cocteau Twins vibe of finale ‘Most People Believe’, Transpacific Sound Paradise is a delectable journey through a technologically and melodically advanced pop universe.

“Imagine, if you will, the somnambulant bliss of Broadcast mixed up with that distinctive Slint-style bass, the playful bossa of a throwaway Stereolab B-side and, perhaps most strikingly – a great big nod towards the glamorous-yet-underachieving shoegazers Lush” – Vinyl Vulture

‘Plastic Beach’ and the accompanying bonus tracks are available now as a special download package from Hidden Shoal. The ‘Plastic Beach’ music video is available for streaming on Youtube and Vimeo. Transpacific Sound Paradise is also available now in digital and limited edition CD formats. More details at  the Hidden Shoal Store - http://agora.hiddenshoal.com.

Hidden Shoal Recordings is an Australia-based independent music label that has earned a reputation for releasing exciting and engaging new independent music that is not bound by genre or style. Hidden Shoal has been chosen as one of Textura magazine’s favourite labels and has been dubbed “This generation’s 4AD” by prominent New York radio host DJ Mojo.