COURSE - Hue Mirror
Fusing lush electronic instrumentation with atmospheric, layered vocals, Chicago synth-pop band Course weaves elements of dream-pop, 90s new-wave, alt-electronic, and indie rock into their breezy, ethereal-meets-industrial sound.
By Grace
11/19/20251 min read
COURSE - HUE MIRROR
Course, a Chicago-based synth-pop band that is led by songwriter and vocalist Jess Robbins, released their latest single “Hue Mirror.” Building on their previous release, it adds to their atmospheric sound while getting more personal in just over four minutes. The track blends soft electronic sounds, various synth layers, and angelic vocals that put you at ease. Like much of Course’s work, “Hue Mirror” is genre fluid- sitting somewhere between dream-pop, indie electronic, and ’90s-inspired new wave, but (this time) with a deeper twist.
On this single, Robbins reflects on the uncertainty that was at the core of the writing of the full Hue Mirror album. After being diagnosed with an autoimmune condition in 2024, Robbins began challenging her mental and physical challenges into her art. Those themes are evident here as well as the production features soft digital pulses, subtle shifts, and smooth synths that mimic the movement of breath. The sound is uniquely intentional for the genre, reflecting Robbin's personal experience over the past couple years.
Lyrically, the song sounds like a quiet reflection, focusing on lyrics like “All the pain you take/ The light will break.” They’re poetic, a bit ambiguous, and at times, hard to understand all the way through. However, these lyrics showcase the personal storytelling while also raising questions about life and pain. Robbins’ vocal performance is truly angelic and instead of listening to the words precisely, you might yourself more just listen to the sound of her voice. It’s hard not to feel the calmness in her voice, allowing the deeper meaning of the song to come to the forefront.
All in all, “Hue Mirror” showcases that sometimes less is more and what sounds simple might be filled with layers of deep intention and planning. The song is a strong mix of soft production, poetic songwriting, and atmospheric backing. It doesn’t stray away from Course’s usual sound, but also pulls back the curtain at the life of the artist behind it. For fans of indie-pop that is meaningful and relaxing, it’s a strong addition.
