A good low-end makes a lot of difference on this track. World traveler and Italian-born musician Mauro Remiddi must have picked up on the indie-pop and synthesizer-fueled beats of London during a layover. Now signed to Secretly Canadian, Remiddi has released Strange Weekend under the name Porcelain Raft and “Drifting In and Out” is among the best of its tracks.
While the crescendo of foggy synthesizer opens the song nearly devoid of bass, the punch quickly follows. Audible but lost behind the effects and guitar of the initial ten seconds, the percussion and bass are destined to play second fiddle to the coming lyrics and falsetto voices. The echoing vocals of Remiddi are so delicate they appear feminine and allow for a lighter, nearly weightless feel. The aura of the song — greatly aided by the oft-repeated title — is likely to cause a similar effect. It is in fact the steady kick drum that keeps this song grounded and listeners from drifting out of the atmosphere.
Predecessor to the single set for release on June 26 is a self-directed video that mimics the smoky, floating sentiment of the refrain. Cranking up the bass, engaging the subwoofer, or strapping on headphones are all options to ensure you remain on earth, weighted down like a Porcelain Raft. Otherwise, by song’s end the swirling air currents will slowly surround, lift and carry you away and only the sharp close to the track will remind you to return.