One of the strong synthwave albums of 2022 was Hatif’s debut, Everything Is Repetition, via Town And Tower Records. The Swedish based duo of Markus Majdalani and Johan Eckerström, began this musical project in 2020, and May 26th saw their new single, “Long Year“, released into the wild.
Photo by Daniel Kwon
I do love that Hatif have this wonderful ability to meld electronic music with that exotic Middle Eastern flare, and ‘LongYear” is yet another beautiful representation of this ability. However, this latest track seems a lot heavier and darker, as the electronics snap and hiss at times. Around this is the succulent vocals of Markus Majdalani and the sinuous weaving of the synths. Maybe this track by Hatif, is about the time of Covid-19, that did indeed seem like a “LongYear“.
Those that are heavily into science fiction/fantasy might recognise the name “MorbusGravis“. from the comic Druuna, which became a video game in 2001. It is now a single, out on Infacted Recordings, from Greek industrial project TeknoVore, and the guest vocalist/lyricist is Australian, KeevaLeo, whom you might know is from the equally excellent Sirus.
You know, that when any seductive female voice tells you ‘come in, the water’s fine‘, you should probably run… a lot. Big industrial base drops propel the track forward, with Leo’s vocals cajoling, wailing, and seducing your ears, as any good siren should. There is included two mixes by two musicians/producers. Adsol gives you the first remix, which you think is going to be some delicate thing, but the beginning is a ruse, as the music flows between transcendental and thumping rhythms, while the vocals are now murkier, and there is a sense of obfuscation. The remix by Draven is an instrumental headlong rush of techno beats with flourishing synths that occasionally stops to catch its breath and then continues on, overriding your senses.
There is also an instrumental version where you get to experience those great bass drops yet again. GeorgeKlontzas is the man behind TeknoVore, and he really has a knack in creating and blending techno/psytrance with industrial, that is seamless and heavily engaging, so his combining forces with KeevaLeo, is a stroke of genius, and “MorbusGravis” is going to suck you down into its wonderful vortex.
What is on the slab you might ask? I may reply, well, Melbourne label, SpookyRecords, have released the single with video, from Velatine, called “All I Want“. Velatine is a darkwave duo, also based in Melbourne, Australia and this single is off the album I Won’t Be Civilised, that was released in February.
Photo by Jurgis Maleckas
From the beginning, a sense of despondency is within the electronics, before the vocals take you away, dragging you towards a world of solitude. The synths are beautifully layered with the vocals, echoing and giving an air of melancholy mystery.
The band is composed of Maggie Alley and Loki Lockwood, and the video they have created for the track, is full of shadowy Hitchcock noir, as Alley gets Lockwood to drive her around, before making him dig his own grave. “All I Want” is smooth and chic like a rich dark wine from Velatine.
Do you chose the red pill or the blue pill? It was a question put to the character Neo, in the movie TheMatrix. Now, London’s AlienCreation, also known as Chris Clark, proposes “RedPill” in the form of a single that was released in April.
The future is here so ‘wise up sucker‘ as the electronics mewl their discontent and the beats fervently follow the vocals of Clark, as he punches through your defences built up up the politicians and media.
It made me giggle a little, as the chorus of ‘wise up sucker‘ reminded me of the PopWillEatItself track of that very name (“Wise Up! Sucker“). What would you chose? Do you chose the truth or to live in a fantasy? It could be an AlienCreation, so take the “RedPill“.
The last time we heard from Athens’ NEXUS, was February 2022, and now Mike Pougounas is back with a new single, named the “ShrinkingMan“, which was released May 13. Pougounas plays keyboards, vocals and programming and is joined on this track by DalaiCellai on cello, whom is part of the German Performance Art ensemble, Cirque Bouffon.
There is such an overwhelming sense of a loss of self in this track between the content of the lyrics, Pougounas‘ vocals and the extraordinary tone of the cello. There is a simplicity in the music that lends itself to the tale of a man that had a wonderful talents, that were powered by love, but without it he withered and has a rather unfortunate ‘accident’. The “ShrinkingMan” by NEXUS is wonderfully poignant gothic fare.
DeepSleepAtlantic are back with their second single “Blue“, which was released on May the 12th. Travis Marc and Daniel Perez are changing things up with the addition of saxophone by guest musician Dave Mouton.
Photo by Mikey Valencia
There is a plodding nature to the beginning of the track, a kind of going through the moves of daily life, while the vocals reach out, seemingly putting on a happy face. A song about depression, when you can no longer face the day. It really takes off in the chorus, and the culprit of this misery is revealed. The saxophone is absolutely mesmerising.
The music video has its premiere on the 19th of May, but in the meantime, you can enjoy listening to “Blue” or sites like Bandcamp and Spotify. This track is definitely nothing like the first single, “BipolarTendencies“, which had a far more darker edge, where as “Blue” has embraced that New Orleans’ grass roots soul and blues, and mixed it with an 80s pop swagger of say DuranDuran or Japan. Touch the “Blue” with DeepSleepAtlantic.
Baltimore band, Talking ToShadows, is sceduled to drop a new EP, in June called Lost and May the 12th, saw the release of the single “Soma“, off said EP.
There are periods between that are in hushed reverence for the whispered female vocals, before the drums come crashing through, thunderous when the languid guitar changes mode to join the guitar. All the while, the vocals wave their way between causing goosebumps
Soma is Latin, and its literal meaning is body, and this is an ode to how love eff3ects every fibre. The shoegaze style is reminicent of Lush or Curve, and as you can rightly imagine, is it simply gorgeous. If you are looking for a track that lifts your heart and makes it burst forth with joy, then “Soma” by Talking To Shadows is worth adding to your collection.
I have noticed that the Germans are extremely efficient at consistently putting out great music in quick succession. AlexanderLeonardDonat is one such German. I still have to bring you the review for his new album from Assassun, but his other project Vlimmer, just brought out a new single called “Fatalidealb/wRaceForThePrize“, on the BlackjackIlluministRecords label.
There is an idealistic air of youthful golden delight in “Fatalideal“, with the ringing guitar work that is strikingly joyful. Even Donat’s vocals are light and wonderfully graceful in his native German tongue. The second track is far more electrotonic and slower than the original…yes, this is a cover. The vocals are tinged with a sense of morose as “RaceForThePrize” wends its way.
“Fatalideal” definitely holds about it, an taste of TheCure, and their more absurdly happy music. It is coated in a dreamy haze and is genuinely delightful, with the vocals absolutely in perfect form The b-side, “RaceForThePrize” was originally released in 1999, as a single by US group, TheFlamingLips and in true Vlimmer style, the lyrics have been transcribed into German. I actually had never heard the original version before, and I have to say i prefer the Vlimmer cover… so there :P. Donat is proving himself more than a capable singer and a composer of enchanting darkwave.
There was a stirring on the winds in New Jersey, and behold, the debut single “April” spang forth from goth rockers, TheAntoinePonceletBand. The band is made up of members, AntoinePoncelet (vocals), PeterQuilla (guitar), MarkMcClemens (bass), SantosMenendez (keys), GregBullock (keys) and JustinWright (drums).
There is the wailing and gnashing of teeth in “April“, for there does seem to be a questioning of why one has been left to fend for themselves, when the muses have fled. Is there meaning if you cannot see it? The music is boisterous, and the over all ambiance, reminds me a little of AndyPrieboy. There is also a b-side in the track, “VirginiaPlain“, originally released by RoxyMusic, back in 1972. They have retained that glam edge with the great keyboard work and lead singer Poncelet, pulls off a rather convincing modern take, of the sneering BryanFerry, though this version is more attacking.
Hearing a cover of RoxyMusic was rather delightful and a good reminder of what a great songwriter Ferry has been. The single “April” is this interesting dichotomy of 90s goth, grunginess and even honky-tonk blues at times, which is surprisingly enjoyable. It might no longer be “April“, but you can still indulge in TheAntoinePonceletBand.
In true 8bit fashion, the track starts out like a computer game, that crosses with far more uplifting synth lines that spin around the punchy lyrics that talk about regret at losing another. As soon as you hear the first remix, you can tell it has JamieBlacker’s touch all over it. The ESA (ElectronicSubstanceAbuse)remix is a bit funky with thumping beats and static, giving the track a much darker tone. Next is the DulceLiquido remix. OscarMayorga is DulceLiquido, as well as a member of Hocico, and with that pedigree, the rhythm slams and the industrial-techno strobes your senses, creating an amazing dance version. The fourth version is doused in the electronic splendour that is [SITD], where they use their skill to give the track a depth, using those beautiful tinkling key notes and lowers tones and this leads on perfectly to the ToxxicProject mix. ToxxicProject is another Mexican project, and their remix is this building tide of synthy injected waves, that surges around your ears.
There is also an instrumental mix which is equally as good, but honestly, you should just listen for yourself. It is a chance to immerse yourself in not only a great track, yet also bask in the talent of the guest remixers. There is not one that I could actually say is my favourite due to the fact each has their own, very distinctive, style. All killer and no filler from this single, “Split” by Super Dragon Punch!!.
Onyx Music Reviews 