Review: How to Dress Well Brings Dynamic Ambient to Belmont

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Article by Chris de Wilde

The ambient, PBR&B, electronic group whom is fronted by the very talented singer, Tom Krell, performed at the Belmont on St-Laurent late on a chilly Sunday night. The group performed tracks from their lastest LP “What is this Heart” released on Domino Records. The show was delightful and incredible wonderment of sight and sound, with pop over-tunes in a beautifully rehearsed ambient package.

Krell isn’t afraid to share his heart during the emotionally charged performance accompanied by a fantastic ensemble of well-trained and talented musicians. Sharing his stories of a love that has been lost and then found, How to Dress Well presented a mature sound within a beautiful and unique package. The ambient, R&B group showed dynamic strength, proving that there is more to being in an ensemble then just playing loud and rocking out. Although when the moment came, the group provided the volume and full sound that the emotion of the song demanded. The powerfully tender voice of Krell lead the crowd through the menagerie of life with a calm diameter of the observer.

The performance was accompanied with brilliant and surrealist VJ work by Nick Reed. Reed’s visual enhancements were a beautiful representation of the bands artistic integrity. The slow-moving portraits of impressionistic intent highlight and outline Krell, whom is the primary focus of the group. At times, Reeds vibrant and deliberate VJ work produced an aura like effect around the ensemble as they played . The tasteful visual effects and artwork complete the package, making the performance a soulful journey into the heart of Tom Krell.

The posh atmosphere of the club along with the chic audience border on making the ambient R&B groups performance seem trendy and fashionable. With the pop overtones, R&B influence, and surreal video effects the show seemed like being in a Guess Jeans commercial. One could almost hear the whisper of a narrator speaking the fashion designers name and seeing a designers logo appear in the corner of the backdrop screen. But if this is the direction that fashionable and trendy music is heading, then it sure as hell beats that Justin Bieber bullshit.

It’s the 21st Century and it appears that the music industry is at a loss of what direction to head into next. Society has grown tired of the same cookie cutter productions that have been made by the industry during the past 15 years. It is ready to move and evolve on to the next trend, the next new fashion phase. Like the ’60s evolved into the ’70s, society is always seeking something new and fresh. How to Dress Well is a hopeful example of what the next, new trend in music could very well be. It is a deep, heartfelt, impressionistic journey of the heart. Moving away from the fashion of materialism and more into our own heart space, a trend to move in the direction of love and compassion. So be on the lookout for How To Dress Well, this band has the ability to go far.

How to Dress Well played at the Belmont on September 14