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Out on Infacted Recordings, is the latest single “Harbour” from J:dead, where Jay Taylor has enlisted Aesthetic Perfection and genCAB for remix duties. This is officially the last release for J:dead for the year 2023, but in 2024, we can expect the unleashing of the thematic EP ROOTS, which will contain seven original tracks, including “Harbour,” plus 8 remixes.

©Thomas Fritsche, Nightshark Photography

“Harbour” has this rolling flow whilst also laying down dance rhythms. An electronic melding of the many faces and personalities we are and show others, topped by the molten vocals of Taylor. The Aesthetic Perfection mix is filled with a bright jauntiness that the progenitor of industrial pop, Daniel Graves is famous for, while David Dutton of genCAB’s version is slower and darker, like you can feel the shadows enveloping you in a cocoon and only the vocals can drag you to the light.

The line ‘look hard and you will find me, lonely I will never be‘ doesn’t refer to multiple personalities but rather all the different facets that make us up as humans. We are not one thing such as a joker or the introvert, which would leave us as one dimensional aberrations, instead of the wondrously complicated creatures we are. As always, this is a polished track with two stunning mixes and if you want to know what you will be getting in the EP, then “Harbour” is an excellent place to start. I have already had the pleasure of hearing the original tracks and can promise that you are not going to be disappointed, yet that is for another day………..

Harbour | J:dead | Infacted Recordings (bandcamp.com)

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Music | Aesthetic Perfection (bandcamp.com)

Music | genCAB (bandcamp.com)

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You might say Witches Falls could be one of the most coolest names a place could be called and indeed it is a real locale, situated on Tamborine Mountain, in Australia. Gold Coast based Chiffon Magnifique, brain child of Jed A Walters, have sprung forth a darkwave single, also named “Witches Falls,” with an equally creepy video set in said area.

Echoing and ringing post-punk guitar on this track is really beautiful, setting the swirling tone, that sweeps you along for the ride. Walter’s vocals, deep and longing, beseech you for understanding, for one that finds the modern world, at times, so overwhelming, they need to retreat to the calm that is the quiet arms of the natural world. The video conveys the self doubt in a mind clouded in a tormented perception that they are forever alone and unwanted. The house full of curios, changes to the city (Vinnies’ Dive Bar), before a furious night drive to the Falls, and their majestic ancient rain forest, in which the “Witches Falls” resides.

What could possibly top this great track? Maybe the knowledge that in 2024, we can expect the debut album named Anxietika, which, with all the current singles, you know is going to be punching well above its weight with all the gothic goodness Walters puts into his music. The man is seriously talented and very heavily involved in the dark alternative scene in South-East Queensland and I cannot stress enough to watch this space because Chiffon Magnifique are just starting to hit their straps, so find your way to “Witches Falls.”

Witches Falls | Chiffon Magnifique (bandcamp.com)

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Scenius are a dark synthpop duo, hailing from Leeds in the UK. Composed of UK producer Steve Whitfield (The Cure, The Mission) and French singer Fabrice Nau, they released their album Life Is A Thing, back in May but we are going to touch upon the single off the album, “Chinese Room.”

There is a simplicity to the track that makes it entrancing, almost dream like. The sound of electronics harken back to late 70s and early 80s acts like John Foxx, Gary Numan and German pioneers, Kaftwerk. Nau’s vocals are seductive and unhurried, with that French accent only enhancing the cool of track.

Together with the video for the single, I do feel “Chinese Room” is a reference to heroin. The video is a party slowed down, where those participating in the drug use are only existing in the moment and Chinese rock is a euphemism for heroin, a la the Ramones single “Chinese Rock.” I do love the throwback nod to past electronica heroes, but they have a distinct modern touch all over this track. You should listen to the “Chinese Room,” but be warned, you may become addicted to Scenius.

Chinese Room | Scenius (bandcamp.com)

http://www.facebook.com/sceniusband/

http://www.deezer.com/artist/86224982

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Did someone say they need more experimental music in their lives? You really can’t get more experimental than free improvisation done live. This is where we throw at you Sordid Amok!, hailing from Harrisonburg, Virginia and their new track “Warehouse 12 October 2023.” From what I can gather, Sordid Amok! are a duo, who are joined by different guest musicians, to jam away and just see what magic happens.

“Warehouse 12 October 2023” goes just a tad over twenty-one minutes as five humans build upon each other’s additions, creating a soundscape that one could lose themselves in. There is a rawness due to the nature of it being live and those pregnant pauses or changing tempos just add to the charm.

Warehouse 12 October 2023 | Sordid Amok! (bandcamp.com)

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We have been following the catastrophic tale of humans versus alien machines, unfolding in the musical exploits by MATT HART. The London based industrial musician and DJ, has released his latest single “DEEP DOWN CITY.”

Imagine living 6000 levels below the surface of the planet, a new shadowy world where humans have finally settled from the reach of the machines, trying to recreate what they had above ground. The guitar is there, building the tension, but the synths are the smooth heroes of this track, however the big surprise is the vocals. Not only do we have HART’s growls, but we get to hear the man actually sing, letting us hear his dulcet tones.

“DEEP DOWN CITY” is a something a little different from MATT HART, with its mingling of harsher industrial and retro synthwave, creating a wonderfully pulsating dynamic. The track portrays a cyberpunk styled domain where life is lived in the constant gloom, that is only broken up by the need for sleep and entertainment. One wonders what the aliens are up to on the surface and I am guessing we might find out soon.

DEEP DOWN CITY | MATT HART (bandcamp.com)

https://www.facebook.com/djmatthartuk/

https://www.instagram.com/matthart3808/

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Peak Flow are a darkwave duo from York in the UK, and their debut single “Running To You” was released in June, but who are we to hold back on a great track?! Not I. James and Jools have said they draw inspiration from post-punk icons such as Echo and the Bunnymen, The Cure, and Jesus and Mary Chain.

From the beginning keyboard notes, this track promises to become stuck in your head, especially when it comes to the chorus. The vocals are clean and light in comparison to the wonderfully heavy bass. The storyline is from the perspective of two people, where one is still in love and the other no longer feels any empathy for their lover. Honestly, this is such a catchy tune and should really be something that graces the dancefloor with other songs such as Joy Division’s “Love Will Tear Us Apart.”. Just saying, if people give Peak Flow a chance, then “Running To You” might become a classic.

https://www.facebook.com/peakflowband

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Multi-instrumentalist Rev. Billy Simmons, released back in June, his self titled debut album under the project name of Evidence Of A Struggle, and this is the premiere of the sixth and last single, “Seize.” There is a revolving list of musicians that play with Evidence Of A Struggle, creating the unique instrumental sound.

Photo by Jeremy Glickstein

Like some progressive, psychedelic lumbering monster, the track takes off. The guitars are what hit you the most, from those delivering the bass up to those that are plucked, keeping the pace and lightening the pensive mood against the ever building turgid backdrop.

Each of the singles has had a special animated video clip made by John Airo. There is a well of emotion just in one track, haunting in sound, where no words are needed. This is “Seize” by Evidence Of A Struggle.

Evidence of a Struggle | Evidence of a struggle (bandcamp.com)

https://www.facebook.com/Evidence0fAStruggle

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September was a big month for some really good electronic music and Sweden’s Hatif, most certainly delivers some quality releases, which leads us to the new single “Heredity.” Under license to the label Town & Towers Records, the duo of  Markus Majdalani and Johan Eckerström, seems to not currently have an album attached to this new track.

Photo by Daniel Kwon

The electronic clicks take up a flamenco style rhythm and Majdalani‘s singing is smooth and entrancing, then it kicks up an extra notch of cool with the harmonising. The synths move from light to dramatic keeping you on the edge of your seat, while the programming spasmodically still clicks and whirrs.

I’m going to be a bit cheeky and say Hatif could be channelling the spirit of another classic Swedish band Covenant, and that is not a bad thing with the harmonies and building electronic textures. Hatif have said their music is easy to listen to, and I have to say I completely agree with them. “Heredity” is part of the growing legacy that Hatif are putting down.

Heredity | Hatif (bandcamp.com)

https://www.facebook.com/hatifband

https://www.instagram.com/hatifband

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Today sees the release of the single “Digital Imogen” from UK duo Karamelien, and we are delighted to have the premiere. Singer/songwriter Léanie Kaleido and guitarist Mark Foster are the nucleus of Karamelien and are joined on bass by Lee Pomeroy, who has played with luminaries such as ELO, Take That, Rick Wakeman and Yes. The single is off the album, Living With The Moon, which is set to be released on the 27th of October.

Léanie has said she was going for a Garbage vibe, drawing inspiration from front woman, Shirley Manson, and indeed she had done well, channelling the strong vocals, with the essence of telling a few home truths. An indie pop tune with melodic fuzz guitar noise and keyboard, that wants to open a conversation on social media and the effect it has on people’s perception of themselves. Using filters and photoshopping in order to gain an unrealistic perfection, which creates a viscous cycle of self-loathing and image control. Karamelien has delivered a track of unadulterated indie pop goodness, with modem relevance.

https://www.facebook.com/KaramelienBand

Karamelien – Band

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From the late 70s, into the early 80s, KISS were at the height of their musical success, and well known for, at the time, the outrageous makeup and stage outfits. October is Halloween month, and Michigan based Coley Kennedy (voice, keyboards, electronic drums, songwriter), has released the single “Just Like Kiss (Halloween’83),” which is about dressing up as your favourite original KISS character, to go trick or treating. He is joined by Pete Javier (guitars, bass guitar), Hattie Blue Kennedy, (vocals) and Jude Kennedy (vocals).

The bass guitar is like the death nell of a church bell, while the rhythm plods along at an equally purposed pace. Coley Kennedy’s vocals utterly compliment the eerie atmosphere, like a dark memory of a nightmare that you might have had trouble waking up from. ‘Take your candy and run‘ because we can be “Just Like Kiss (Halloween ’83),”scaring old ladies with Coley Kennedy’s grave post-punk affair. Which KISS member will you be?

Just Like Kiss (Halloween ’83) | Coley Kennedy (bandcamp.com)