Pop needn't be fluffy, and can be catchy without being insipid. That’s the mantra of Scarlet Season. The new project from Seattle artist Aileen Paron takes a songcentric pop-rock approach and infuses it with a dark, cinematic, neo-synth edge and gothic roots.

Swirling synths, pretty pianos, nasty bass, and moody electronic elements combine with vocal textures that run the gamut from howling and angry to sweet and seductive. The resulting sound is what you might get from a mash-up of artists like Bjork, Tori Amos, Goldfrapp, Bat For Lashes and Depeche Mode.

Already a self-taught songwriter and pianist, Ms. Paron’s desire for autonomy and passion for learning all things musical inspired her to take the DIY approach to recording, programming, and composing. The result is The Taxidermist, which she co-produced with Matt Frickelton (The Fading Collection).

The songs on the record chronicle themes of anger, loss, betrayal and loneliness; they are admittedly personal and at times even uncomfortably so. Scarlet Season can currently be found performing in Seattle, with plans for a West Coast tour in the works for Fall 2011.