Release date: 1/19/2024
Genre/sub-genre(s): Dreampop, Post-Punk, Shoegaze
1. Fear the Softest Gaze
2. Ambrose Pierce (Featuring Calvin Johnson)
3. Courting the Devil's Printer
4. Poison Sweat Nightshade
5. Nihilism is Nice
6. Broken Bodies of Violent Storms
7. Emblem Stumbles
8. Fear the Softest Gaze (Robin Guthrie Version)
Fawns of Love is a post-punk duo that consists of vocalist Jenny Andreotti and multi-instrumentalist Joseph Andreotti. Their new LP titled Fear the Softest Gaze features a duet with Calvin Johnson (Beat Happening, K Records) and an alternate version of the title track by Robin Guthrie (Cocteau Twins). Since the release of their critically acclaimed 2019 LP Permanent, which according to LA Weekly, “...creates gorgeous swathes of moody, melancholic music,” Bakersfield post-punk duo Fawns of Love released Someday (Robin Guthrie Version) b/w Never Sing For Joy 7” (Kingfisher Bluez) and a second KXLU Part Time Punks radio session titled, Part Time Punks Session: Permanent Revisited 12” EP (Obeah Records) in 2020. With both releases the duo further evolved their post-punk ethos using Cocteau Twins inspired reverb drenched vocals along with New Order inspired guitar leads and sequences. “Someday (Robin Guthrie Version)” was recorded and mixed by Robin Guthrie of Cocteau Twins, who created his own version of the track that originally appeared on the previously released Permanent LP (Test Pattern). Guthrie created an ethereal and earnest mood to his version of “Someday” by contributing multiple lush guitar tracks, bass guitar, keys, and drums which Grimy Goods wrote “delivers twice as much ethereal wonder as the original.”
“Like 2021’s Innocence of Protection, later-period Cocteau Twins leaps out of their sound, so much so that patron saint/guitarist Robin Guthrie (who recognizes talented acolytes when he hears them) returns with his own version of their song, the title track. But you also sense the entire pre-shoegaze ethereal U.K. scene in trippier Brit post-punk, art-pop, goth, and the esoteric basslines of 1980-1985 Cure. And what’s this? That deep croak of Beat Happening’s Calvin Johnston, duetting with Jenny on a tribute to an excellent 1842-1914 San Francisco writer, “Ambrose Pierce!” But as usual, Fawns floats on Jenny’s gossamer chirp, so airborne and full of light, she’s like the proverbial heavenly choir—in just one set of pretty pipes.” - Big Takeover Magazine
“Singer Jenny Andreotti and multi-instrumentalist Joseph Andreotti, create an amalgamation of sound that traverses the ethereal, shoegaze, and post-punk while settling in somewhere around dreamscape compositions. Fear The Softest Gaze layers instruments around Jenny’s cooing vocals and one thing you’ll get from the band’s music is no song is ever repeated twice or sounds the same.” - Ghettoblaster Magazine
“ ‘Ambrose Pierce’ was inspired by writer (and American Civil War vet) Ambrose Bierce, who disappeared when traveling to Mexico to witness the country's revolution. His final written words were, "As for me, I leave here tomorrow for an unknown destination" — and that sentiment inspired the moody synthpop number, which contrasts Jenny Andreotti's airy voice with Johnson's booming baritone.” - Exclaim
“It took two years for Fawns of Love to follow up their album Innocence of Protection released in 2021 and our patience is largely rewarded with the superb Fear the Softest Gaze. A celestial dream pop, an almost angelic, disturbing voice, this new record is a real pleasure to listen to, and, if it is the shadow of Cocteau Twins which hangs over the project, the presence of Robin Guthrie is for its part very real, the musician delivering at the end of the disc his own version of the piece which opens the album and gives it its name.” - Premonition Magazine
