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Minneapolis based band, autumn, have been honing their post-punk music since their three member inception back in 1994. Julie Plante (vocals), Neil McKay (guitars/programming) and Jeff Leyda (bass) released their new single “catacombs,” in May, with William Faith (Bellwether Syndicate) recording, mixing, mastering and producing at 13 Studio. This track is off the new soon to be released album, songs about dying, out on Sett Records.

There is something warm and inviting in the tone of the guitars, rich and deep. Julie Plante is quite mesmerising as their lead singer and she sings you a song of love but in the end everything dies, and it all feels so fleeting. Sometimes memory is all we have and that we live on in the memories of others..

“This song really hits on many of the big themes still circulating in our lives right now, but it really came together during the COVID lockdown time. I knew my dad was nearing the end of his life, and I was finding myself really trying to make my peace with this fragile world and my own limited time in it. I was also really dealing with solitude in a way I hadn’t ever before: recognizing that we are each born alone and will ultimately die alone, and yet we are never alone… Much of the video footage was shot up north in the woods in the coldest part of winter, and that too felt right to me. The starkness of a northern winter landscape has always spoken volumes to me of the thin line between life and death.” – Plante

The music video is beautifully shot by Faith, between a snow laden forest and the group playing together. Bones might reside in “catacombs,” but those remains hold stories of lives with great loves and this track is genuinely a lovely gothic ode to life from autumn.

catacombs | autumn-us (bandcamp.com)

http://autumn-us.com/

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When creating music, is the artist doing it for themselves to induce joy or for the audience, who may not be so receptive or critical? The latest track from Melbourne’s Velatine delves into this quagmire, delightfully called “FCK YOU ALL,” out on the Spooky Records label.

This is not some punk song, as this is doom coming to get you with death tolling bells and Lockwood is joined on vocals by Barb Dwyer. There is a more industrial tone to the electronics and indeed the chorus is a resounding ‘fuck you all.’

The commentary of the lyrics is about the toll of being an artistic type in the alternative genre, where it can be a thankless slog to gain recognition, often leading to mental health issues, then relying on substances like alcohol and drugs to get that kick. This is a much darker and harsher sound for Velatine, if that is possible for a goth project, and it is accompanied by a music video, shot in black and white by Mark Bakaitis , as the duo stalk through the night-time streets of Melbourne with no fucks given. And honestly, I think we all need to occasionally let off steam and say “FCK YOU ALL.”

FCK YOU ALL | Velatine (bandcamp.com)

https://www.facebook.com/Velatine

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Charmaine Evonne (vocals), Tracey Whorton (drums), Dirk Miller (guitar) and Peter Guellard (bass, programming) make up Pittsburgh dark rock band dichro, who dropped their latest single with video, on the label Distortion Productions, called “Mercy.”

A sassy double bass in southern bayou swing, greets your ears, while the guitar wails in the blues of “Mercy.” Evonne’s vocals goes from vibrato to singing the rock from her soul into your bones. There is also the extra bonus bombastic Psycho-Brutalist remix by Psychotribe which ups the electronic factor, glitching and fritzing delightfully.

“Mercy” is a groovy number that shimmies and shakes seductively, holding you in awe, which might just mean that there be some sort of voodoo magic spell placed on you by dichro.

Mercy | dichro (bandcamp.com)

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Darkwave/industrial three piece, Matte Blvck are based in San Diego, California, and on the verge of dropping the new album Vows, have released the single “Pupula Duplex.”

The cool vocals announce ‘I am nothing‘ above the electronic clacking, pulling you into the track straight away. There are huge lulls followed by intense punching rhythms and synths, inviting you to re-join the manic dance whilst facing your own inner demons.

“Pupula Duplex” most certainly is a throwback to the 90s, recalling the bass and drum filled music of iconic bands such as Prodigy and Aphex Twin, which drop you like a rollercoaster and then build up that tension again. But then, they aren’t a carbon copy, as Matte Blvck inject their own underlying darkness into this genre. Gritty and bleak.

Pupula Duplex | MATTE BLVCK (bandcamp.com)

https://www.facebook.com/matteblvckus

https://www.instagram.com/matteblvckus/

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Swedish label Progress Productions have dropped the new ABU NEIN single “Unwanted.” This is the darkwave band’s first single off their soon to be released third album.

The quick build up to the guitar and vocals, is like a release of dopamine to the system. The guitar work is darker and oppressive, especially when joined by the swirling winter soundscape synths, painting a bleak picture, with the vocals as the focal. Those vocals are beautiful and yet ooze a icy quality.

The beginning of this track became well ensconced in my head for quite a while, and in the back of your brain you can hear those sultry vocals just making your day a little more sexier. ABU NEIN have definitely make “Unwanted” a track to dance your little dark hearts out.

Unwanted | ABU NEIN (bandcamp.com)

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Dolly Dagger is an ex-pat Australian, living in the USA, creating her own style of dark pop music. Her new single is called “Tower,” on which she has collaborated with guitarist Jesse McInturff and producer Louie Diller.

Photo by Kim Peterson

The slow burn start builds the tension, and when we reach the chorus, there is the iteration of I’m not your prey. A call to arms amidst growling guitar work and shrieking synths, about the power of the female character.

There is also a lush video saturated in a fantasy vision of history directed by Dagger that accompanies the single. “Tower” is Dolly Dagger’s ode to never giving in no matter the odds, or how much people tell you that you shall never succeed by being your own tower of strength.

Music | Dolly Dagger (bandcamp.com)

https://www.facebook.com/DollyDaggerxo

Dolly Dagger (dollydaggerxo.com)

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The new album Glimmer came out in April, but right now I am going to drag your attention to Lunar Paths’ single release “A Star At Dawn.” It dropped in March for the duo of Diane Dubois and Kevin Hunter, and I think it deserves its own time in the moonlight.

A depth to the electronics, an undercurrent of something ancient in the Middle Eastern lilt of the vocals and instrumentation, while the drums pick their way on the odyssey. Like Venus at the end of night, Dubois‘ vocals light the way and are a bridge between the past and present.

Lunar Paths are masters of intertwining darkwave with world music. Entrancing and exotic, they pour themselves into these tracks because they see the beauty in how an instrument sounds or can influence the overall ambience. I love the ability to express themselves in such an alluring manner and “A Star At Dawn” might my favourite to this date while following the Lunar Paths.

A Star at Dawn | Lunar Paths (bandcamp.com)

https://www.facebook.com/LunarPathsMusic

https://www.lunarpaths.com

https://www.instagram.com/lunar.paths

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Arguably, Robots In Love is one of the best dark electronic rock bands in New Zealand right now, lead by front woman Elenor Rayner (vocals, synths, programming), with Alex Burchell (drums), Tony Lumsden (bass) and Brett Lemmon (guitar). These very experienced musicians have dropped the new single “Unbreakable” with two bonus remixes.

A slow and purpose filled build up from the start, with the rumbling affirmation of the title, wrapped up in tendrils of a classical edge, enticingly liquid next to the unwavering, steeled vocals of Rayner. Of the two remixes, the first is the EBM remix by Rayner, which has adopted a faster pace, and has a really tribal ambiance with enhanced electronics, while the second, Magnetique remix, happens to be bandmate Burchell behind the desk, creating a second dance track that again exudes an indomitable spirit.

“Unbreakable is about how we feel the minute we walk on stage. It’s about being in the place where you feel at your strongest, and connecting with other people to increase that strength.” – Elenor Rayner

Oh my, for me Rayner exudes feminine power, not to mention wearing that lovely corset, made me think of that other female warrior, Xena, in the video, which makes my heart melt a little more for Robots In Love. This is a boot stomping affair, which I associate with epic anthems such as Queen’s “We Will Rock You,” with its positive declaration that doing something you love with like-minded people can make you “Unbreakable.”

Unbreakable | Robots In Love (bandcamp.com)

https://www.facebook.com/robotsinlovemusic

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From Athens, Georgia, you can find deathrock roaming wild in the form of Tears for the Dying. The band’s current line-up consists of original member Adria Stembridge (guitars, synthbass, synths, vocals) and Cody  White (guitar, bass) and we thought we would check out the single “Dancing Dead Girl” off the album In the Shadow of the Midnight Sun.

The beginning is reminiscent of Switchblade Symphony, delicate feminine vocals with ringing guitar work that tinkles down, and it mirrors that classic sound throughout. Entrancing in the extreme, the music flows mystically, and it leaving me wondering if the girl was dead before she danced or like the lass in the Hans Christensen tale of the dancing shoes, she expires al la Saint Vitus disease.

“Dead Girl Dancing” is thoughtful and sweet, in that ghoulish gothic way and Adria’s vocals are quite lovely, but trust me when I say that this band can be heavier when they want to be, yet it is nice to hear this side as well. Tears for the Dying are one of those hard working bands, and you will often see them on Facebook, on the road touring, so if you get the chance, get out and check them out

Dead Girl Dancing (single) | Tears for ʇhe Dying (bandcamp.com)

https://www.facebook.com/TearsForTheDying

http://tearsforthedying.com/

https://instagram.com/tearsforthedyingband

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It feels like there is so much going on in the world currently and the rest of the planet are watching in horror as wars are popping up like spreading fires. Irish project OWLS was created by Emy Collum back in 2021, where he went from drumming with indie bands to going solo so he could dive into his passion for post-punk and electronic music, and March has seen the release of the new single “Body Bags.”

The style is energetic analogue, like a mash up of Cabaret Voltaire and Fad Gadget. The vocals range from darkwave whispers to barked out cries. The music is punchy and definitely has a punk based approach.

“All of my songwriting up until now has been dealing with internal conflicts and self assessment. It feels selfish looking inwards when being faced with genocide daily. I teach History. I had a Palestinian student join one of my classes recently. They presented a project on the ancient buildings of Gaza City only to highlight the fact that they’re no longer there. That hit hard”  – Emmett Collum

“Body Bags” is an enjoyable track, but at just over two minutes long, it vibes along quite nicely, when it stops. Ah well, this is the punk way and the absurdity of the whole thing is that we shouldn’t have to be talking about bagging and tagging men, women and children that should have lived long and wonderful lives. The OWLS are watching in judgement.

https://owls-emee.bandcamp.com/track/body-bags

O￦LS (@owls_emee) • Instagram photos and videos