Perfume Tree

Perfume Tree creates a sonic environment that feels like being wrapped in a damp, velvet blanket. Their sound is a masterclass in 1990s atmospheric electronic music, blending the skeletal rhythms of trip-hop with the shimmering, indistinct textures of dream pop. It is music that exists in the spaces between genres, where the grit of industrial sampling meets the crystalline beauty of shoegaze guitars. The vocals of Jane Tilley act as a ghostly guide through these murky soundscapes, never quite taking center stage but haunting every corner of the mix.

What truly distinguishes them is their foundation in dub and DJ culture. Unlike many of their dream-pop contemporaries who relied on traditional song structures, Perfume Tree approaches composition through the lens of the sampler and the mixing desk. You can hear the influence of the Vancouver underground in their heavy, undulating bass lines and their willingness to let a groove breathe in a trance-like state. It is a sound that is both urban and organic, capturing the specific mood of a rainy Pacific Northwest night.

For those new to their catalog, A Lifetime Away is the essential starting point. It represents the peak of their 'baroque' period, where their melodic sensibilities and atmospheric production found a perfect, haunting balance. From there, explore Feeler to hear how they integrated more aggressive drum'n'bass elements into their signature haze.