Static - Fading Away

The warm and fuzzy vibes that I felt when first watching Drive can perfectly explain how I felt when I listened to the synthpop project Static. Based out of Australia, Joseph Ling began his music journey by fronting punk and grunge, guitar-based bands. It was in 2019 when Ling decided to start Static as a solo project to keep himself busy while his primary band was down. Nonetheless, Ling fell in love with Static so much that he decided to make it a full-time effort. Thus, on October 14th, we will be seeing the full release of his EP “Fading Away”. Though the three-track EP does play it safe, it does show that Ling is adept in his chosen path. 

‘I Knew You’ begins off the EP and it’s a decent effort in crafting an eighties love ballad with warm synths and soft drum pads. Ling’s voice definitely needs work, however, as it doesn’t sound as strong as it nearly should be. It sounds like he’s warbling; as if he’s choking up right before he’s crying. And, look, that can easily work in a movie, but it doesn’t work too well in a song. 

When ‘Searching’ played I did commend Ling’s choice of vocals this time around, sounding more confident and powerful. I do think they need work, nonetheless, and I believe a vocal coach is in order. It was also here that I noticed Ling plays it very safe with his music; similar textures and synths decorate ‘Searching’ as they did ‘I Knew You’. While the music comes together nicely, I can also find faults in the cracks that lead to a letdown.  

The final track on the EP ‘I’m Afraid’ gives darker, depressed vibes with deeper bass hits and a slower pace. The music easily reflects the title of the track to say the very least. Again, I do go back to my previous statement of Ling playing it safe; it’s good, but doesn’t do anything astonishing. 

Static is on its way to be a vessel in the vein of College, Electric Youth, or even Chromatics. Similar presentation, aesthetic, and electronic vibes. However, Ling also needs to break out of this comfort zone and find a style that will define what Static truly can be. Six out of ten.