purity filter: The Architect of Digital Dream Pop

purity filter is the electronic music project of American producer and vocalist Liam Kessler, emerging from the vibrant bedroom pop scene of Los Angeles. The artist's major label debut, 2021's 'Neon Circuits', cracked the Billboard 200 and spawned a certified gold single, establishing purity filter as a leading voice in synth-laden emotional pop.

Early career

Liam Kessler formed purity filter as a solo endeavor in 2016 while studying sound design in Los Angeles. Initial experiments, blending ethereal vocals with glitchy electronic textures, were shared on SoundCloud, leading to a self-released EP, 'Static Bloom', in 2018.

This DIY release caught the attention of several indie labels, culminating in a signing with the forward-thinking electronic imprint Datawave Records in early 2019.

Breakthrough

The breakthrough for purity filter arrived in 2020 with the single 'Glitch Heart'. Released ahead of the debut album, the track became a viral sensation on TikTok and YouTube, propelling it to number 15 on the Billboard Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart. This success drove the subsequent album 'Neon Circuits' to a number 42 debut on the Billboard 200 in 2021, with 'Glitch Heart' eventually earning a gold certification from the RIAA.

Key tracks

Glitch Heart — The viral 2020 single that broke the artist, achieving gold status and defining the crystalline, emotive purity filter sound.

Neon Circuits — The title track from the debut album showcases the project's maximalist production and melancholic melody.

Fading Signal — A key collaboration with producer Pastel Ghost that expanded the artist's reach within the electronic dream pop community.

Data Stream — Noted for its intricate beat programming, this track became a fan favorite in live sets.

Establishing a sound and looking ahead

Following the success of 'Neon Circuits', purity filter embarked on a headline tour and contributed production work for other Datawave artists. A sophomore album, 'Soft Crash', was released in 2023, debuting at number 31 on the Billboard 200 and affirming the project's consistent appeal. The purity filter style is characterized by layered, shimmering synthesizers, heavily processed yet intimate vocals, and rhythms that bridge ambient pop with subtle trap influences.

Fans of the intricate, mood-driven pop of Pastel Ghost will appreciate the shared aesthetic of digital melancholy. The textured production aligns with the work of Grimes in its DIY electronic ambition. Listeners who enjoy the hazy vocals of Beach House will find a more digitally fractured counterpart in purity filter. The project also shares a sonic kinship with the electronic pop of Chvrches, particularly in its use of anthemic synth hooks.

The music of purity filter maintains regular rotation across a network of online radio streams and independent music radio stations that specialize in modern alternative and electronic sounds. Its blend of accessible melody and detailed production makes it a staple on playlists seeking the forefront of dream pop and synth-pop.

You can discover the digital dream pop of purity filter by tuning into the radio stations featured right here on onairium.com, where their tracks are regularly programmed alongside similar innovators in the genre.