Hauntingly beautiful and undeniably danceable, Big History (@bighistorymusic) is an unexpected mix of dreamy pop, electronica and soul. From the moment I heard the first single, “Every Bone”, I knew I’d never heard anything quite like it before.

The New Orleans-based band is comprised of an eclectic mix of musicians who are also involved in local staples such as MyNameIsJohnMichael, Silent Cinema, One Man Machine, White Bitch, Antenna Inn, and more. Each member was handpicked with specific consideration as to what they would bring to the stage. And what a full stage it is, with multi-instrumentalists, percussionists, a violinist/pianist, a bassist, guitarist and finally, the vocalist. These guys really pack their set with not only a physical presence, but also something otherworldly that flows like electric waves into the crowd.

Pulsating digital sounds and synth, along with guitar work, are the backbone of each track, reminding me of a more ambient Explosions in the Sky. Added to those elements, along with other flourishes and instrumentation, are vocals that both shock and delight upon first hearing them. They’re extremely smooth and soulful, which surprisingly fits the music, and the lyrical content itself is both passionate and wise, an admirable trait in songwriting. The styles are all melded together to create a mixing pot of music that is truly unforgettable.

Big History has been playing shows since the fall of 2010, including two performances at the New Orleans’ Foburg Festival. While the shows have been mostly in the New Orleans area, I expect to see them venture out and take on a full tour as their fan base and musical depth growths.  As of right now, they’ve only released the tracks, “Every Bone” and “All At Once”, which are available for download via their Bandcamp page. You can check out two of their other tracks, “Wolfblood” and “Baby”, on YouTube. Luckily, an EP is in the works and will be released in May.