Category: Reviews (Page 3 of 199)

PISTON DAMP Mastermind Vol 1: No Points For Trying

28 November 2024 /

Having made an attempt at ‘Making The World Great Again’ on 2021, Norwegian based electronic pop duo PISTON DAMP are back with the follow-up ‘Mastermind Vol 1: No Points For Trying’.

Compromising of Jonas Groth whose past work has been mostly with his older brother Stephan in his band APOPTYGMA BERZERK and the classically trained Truls Sønsterud, the subtitle ‘No Points For Trying’ indicates an air of resignation. What is not often known is Norway actually has a border with Russia so world events will have heightened tension.

Opening song ‘The Netherworld’ is swathed in an epic melancholy with an array classic synth sounds but what is this “hell” that Jonas Groth is referring to? There are many candidates. However the pace changes with the spritely Europop of ‘I’m Losing You (A New Tale)’ while ‘To My Knees’ co-produced by Stephan Groth (who is involved in all the album’s final mixes with the duo and Magne Johansen) utilises infectious sequencer patterns and synthetic swoops to good effect.

The ominous ‘Revolve’ is far moodier with layered vocal harmonies but displaying a kinship to ERASURE’s ‘The Circus’ period, the carousel motifs on ‘Waste’ provide a suitably unsettling ride for full cause and effect as there are “No Points For Trying”.

The speedy cut and trust of ‘Downfall’ ventures into electronic goth pop for its verses although the rousing choruses twist the plot somewhat. ‘Now You Know’ presents some great rewards in its sound design but showing opposing poles, the detuned riffs of ‘So Much To Like (Too Little To Do)’ are infectious.

‘Sacrifice’ with additional vocals from Truls Kristian Nygaard takes on much more sombre tones before the lo-fi vocodered tone poem ‘Down, Pt. 3’ interlude segues into ‘The Day Of Departure’, a marvellously wistful tune with cascading keys and shimmering leadlines to close.

Photo by Trygve Sorli

Despite the less optimistic tone compared to its predecessor, ‘Mastermind Vol 1: No Points For Trying’ is a worthy follow-up to ‘Making The World Great Again’ and a continuing development in the art of classic Nordic melancholy. Yes, this album is set to “depressed mode” and this would explain the absence of upbeat bangers.

But PISTON DAMP were so prolific in this second album phase and recorded enough material in a variety of styles for a double album. Thus “Vol 1” is where all the dark and moody songs have ended up for the onset of winter but “Vol2” promises to be more upbeat and pure synthpop in time for next summer. The story continues…

PISTON DAMP use the following synthesizers: Roland Juno 60, Roland Juno 106, Roland Jupiter 4, Roland System 500, Roland RS-505, Minimoog Voyager, Moog Matriarch, Moog Grandmother, Moogerfoogers, Korg MS20, Elektron Nord Lead 3, Analogue Systems Vostok 2000, ARP Odyssey and tons of Eurorack (mainly for percussion and sequencing)

‘Mastermind Vol 1: No Points For Trying’ is released on 29 November 2024 by Sub Culture Records as a limited edition vinyl LP, CD and download, available from https://subculturerecords.bandcamp.com/

https://www.pistondamp.com/

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Text by Chi Ming Lai
28th November 2024

XENO & OAKLANDER Via Negativa (in the doorway light)

14 November 2024 /

Minimal electronic duo XENO & OAKLANDER are back with their eight album ‘Via Negativa (in the doorway light)’.

Albums over the past 18 years like ‘Vigils’, ‘Sets & Lights’, ‘Par Avion’ and ‘Vi/deo’ have demonstrated and reinforced Liz Wendelbo and Sean McBride’s talents as the Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg of synth. From their Connecticut laboratory bubble, the new album sees a further refinement to their precise yet spirited productions.

With songs starting as embryonic piano sketches before McBride applied his modular and vintage synth knowhow, the opening title song makes a powerful statement in a cacophony of synths and percussion while the call and response duet between Liz Wendelbo and Sean McBride provides the fitting contrast of sweetness and starkness to play with the mindset. Less in your face but no less effective is the moodier ‘Mercury Mind’ with brighter hooks doing battle with far grittier distorted interventions.

Despite a seemingly impenetrable wall of synthetic sound, ‘The Unknown Side’ is gloriously bouncy, with Liz Wendelbo providing her alluring Je n’sais quoi to offset Sean McBride’s flatter snarl. ‘Lost & There’ takes XENO & OAKLANDER unexpectedly into a stuttering backdrop and the end result is something almost psychedelic as Wendelbo and McBride harmonise with their blend creating a Neil Tennant stylisation.

‘Actor’s Foil’ adopts a more rugged industrial synthpop template for some EBM sensibilities while with an immediate rhythmic bounce, ‘Magic of the Manifold’ is classic XENO & OAKLANDER reminiscent of ‘The Staircase’ from 2011’s ‘Sets & Lights’ with its squelchy bassline programming being a prominent feature.

A bilingual ode to bloodstones which are said to clear out negative energy, the speedy ‘O Vermillion’ is more minimal compared with other songs on the album and brings in Cossack chants for that Cold War edge that is suitably fitting with the spy drama end. The album concludes with the steadfast ‘Strange Fellows’ which lowers the tempo and plays around with shoegaze impressionism as Wendelbo and McBride vocally delightful spar.

This is another accessible and enjoyable XENO & OAKLANDER record that utilises technology and poetry with spikiness and sweetness, to present the dystopian and the utopian in a cerebral study of “what not to do, a negative image of a positive, the other side, the other”.

‘Via Negativa (in the doorway light)’ is released by Dais Records on 15 November 2024, available as a red, splatter or black vinyl LP, CD and download from https://xenoandoaklander.bandcamp.com/album/via-negativa-in-the-doorway-light

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Text by Chi Ming Lai
14 November 2024

CURSES Another Heaven

25 October 2024 /

Berlin-based New Yorker Luca Venezia, better known as CURSES, has joined the Italians Do It Better family.

The musician and DJ has signed with the label run by Johnny Jewel and Megan Louise that became known for being home to CHROMATICS but has since also provided a release outlet lately to MOTHERMARY, DLINA VOLNY, CAUSEWAY, KID MOXIE & NINA, SALLY SHAPIRO, BARK BARK DISCO and LOVE OBJECT.

For many reasons, the Italians Do It Better union is fitting; known for blending goth rock, new wave, dark disco and synth as exemplified by Venezia’s acclaimed ‘Next Wave Acid Punx’ series of compilations, ‘Another Heaven’ is the third full length CURSES album. Benefitting from Johnny Jewel’s co-production input, it develops on the gloomy vision cemented on the debut ‘Romantic Fiction’.

Informed by Venezia’s love of alternative club music, one of the highlights of ‘Another Heaven’ comes with its title song; this takes its lead from NEW ORDER and ‘Bizarre Love Triangle’, but presents it more as an influence rather than the blatant but very good rip off that NATION OF LANGUAGE’s ‘On Joy Division Street’ was. Expressing his lovestruck joy across seven wonderful minutes, Venezia said “This is a love song dedicated to the lost ones, a ballad for the lost ones to belong. We are always searching for that immortal love, divine romance, a truth to our mystery, and when we find it, we can only assume, this creature so perfect so made for you must be from an ethereal unknown place”

A second highlight comes with the superb ‘Vanish’; featuring the guitar of fellow Berlin resident SKELESYS who has been a regular collaborator of the Berlin-based duo LOCAL SUICIDE, this is CURSES’ own ‘Your Silent Face’ with its brightly bubbling sequencers and solemn demeanour. There is even a subtle ‘Heroes’ like quality about it as our hero declares to his love that he wants to ”vanish with you”.

There are other good tracks with ‘Heart & Cane’ pounding with tension in a manner that would give ACTORS a run for their money in the post-post-punk stakes. ‘Elegant Death’ is a slice of anguished melodic goth, as is ‘Like Porcelain’ where “not everyone falls in love”, but with synth motifs and textural guitar sitting together in harmony, ‘HS2G’ has a comforting nostalgic bent despite the emotional torment.

‘Caviar’ crosses THE SMITHS with THE CURE while ‘Helium’ features Marie Davidson of ESSAIE-PAS sounding serene and alternating with stark spoken word. Not everything hits the spot though with ‘Echoes’ possessing a shadier intensity with a touch of distress that won’t be to everyone’s taste…

While not as ominous as MOLCHAT DOMA with their recent album ‘Belaya Polosa’ but sharing some of its brighter electronic elements, ‘Another Heaven’ is an accomplishment that sees Venezia focus as CURSES to develop his songwriting away from the more blurry aesthetics of the previous album ‘Incarnadine’. By adding more of his own haunting vocals to the backdrop of ghostly six string signatures, icy string machines and infectious rhythm construction, the end result is some guarded optimism to venture out in these gloomy times.

‘Another Heaven’ is released by Italians Do It Better via the usual platforms including https://cursesforever.bandcamp.com/album/another-heaven

CURSES 2024 live dates include:

Palermo Creatures (25 October), Messina Retronoveau (26 October), Caserta Lizard Club (31 October), Bologna Locomotiv (1 November), Milano Arci Bellezza (2 November), Marseille Molotov (3 November), Barcelona Sala Upload (4 November), Bordeaux I-Boat (6 November), Lyon Sonic (7 November), Paris La Marberie (8 November), Brighton Alphabet (9 November), Liverpool District (10 November), London The Lexington (11 November), Brussels Witloof Bar (12 November), Frankfurt Tanzhaus West (13 November), Utrecht EKKO (14 November), Rotterdam Worm (15 November), Bochum Die Trompete (16 November), Hamburg U&G Turmzimmer (17 November), Dresden Chemiefabrik (19 November), Wien Replugged Music Club (21 November), Berlin Berghain Main Hall (27 November)

https://www.cursesforever.com/

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Text by Chi Ming Lai
25th October 2024

HARALD GROSSKOPF Strom

16 October 2024 /

October 2024 sees veteran German synthesist Harald Grosskopf turn 75.

To celebrate, he releases a brand new album ‘Strom’ and publishes his autobiography ‘Monsieur Séquenceur’ in Deutsch which will be of interest to anyone remotely interested in Deutsche Elektronische Musik.

Harald Grosskopf had been the drummer of WALLENSTEIN, THE COSMIC JOKERS and ASHRA, working with Manuel Göttsching in the latter while some of his most notable sessions were with Klaus Schulze on his albums ‘Moondawn’, ‘Body Love’ and ‘X’.

But while in between projects, with the encouragement of friend and composer Udo Hanten, Grosskopf’s desire for making music led him experiment with a Minimoog, Korg PS3200 and an ARP 16-Step Sequencer alongside his drums. The end result was his wonderfully dreamy solo debut ‘Synthesist’ released in 1980; fans of the record included Andy McCluskey, Mark Reeder and Jean-Michel Jarre.

Grosskopf’s desire not to repeat himself has meant he has not been prolific as a solo artist, although over the years, he continued working with Manuel Göttsching in ASHRA as well as undertaking various collaborations Steve Baltes, Eberhard Kranemann, Thorsten Quäschning and Axel Heilhecker. Now after several years in the making comes ‘Strom’, translated from German as “electricity” and looking not that dissimilar the English word “storm” which could also sonically apply to this work.

Opening salvo ‘Bureau 39’ demonstrates an aural heritage with ‘Synthesist’ which is no bad thing, absorbing yet acting as a relaxant within a kaleidoscopic soundscape that twists with bursts of Doppler engine noise. Moving into more grinding territory, ‘Blow’ possesses a fierce marching rumble. There is a sharp use of rhythm on this album, as can be heard on ‘Später Strom’ but its overall gallop and texturing wouldn’t have sounded out of place on ‘Synthesist’, save the percussive sample template.

There are the more breezy overtures of ‘Gleich Strom’ but experimental and noisy, both ‘After The Future’ and ‘Um Pah Pah Uh’ almost do away with melody and reveal some quite unsettling voices, the former growling “NEVER” like a twisted character from The Brother Grimm while the latter also plays with eerie Middle Eastern overtones.

Like a passing express locomotive, the strident ‘Stylo Kraut’ is the album’s driving centrepiece, building towards a cosmic metallic fervour. Meanwhile the closer ‘Stromklang’ wouldn’t sound of place in a club, displaying a stomping affinity to dance culture over a sinister backdrop with cutting stabs of synth duelling with more spacey shimmers and rolling arpeggios.

‘Strom’ is an album that merges Harald Grosskopf’s classic melodic synth sound with the digital machine of today for a fully charged body of work. It retains enough familiarity while going off on various sonic tangents and abstract adventures to satisfy many a listener of more esoteric electronic forms.

‘Strom’ is released by Bureau B on 18 October 2024 in CD and vinyl LP formats, available from https://shop.tapeterecords.com/records/bureau-b/

Download available from https://haraldgrosskopf.bandcamp.com/

https://www.haraldgrosskopf.de/englisch/home.html

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Text by Chi Ming Lai
Photos by Markus Luigs
16th October 2024

ITALOCONNECTION Midnight Confessions Vol2

14 October 2024 /

ITALOCONNECTION are the veteran duo Fred Ventura and Paolo Gozzetti whose ethos of is “to sound vintage in a modern way”.

Although ITALOCONNECTION released a self-titled debut album in 2013 comprising of their own tracks as well as productions and remixes for other artists, it wasn’t until ‘Metropoli’ in 2017’s that they released their first proper album.

In 2021, ITALOCONNECTION issued ‘Midnight Confessions Vol1’, an excellent danceable pop record themed around love. For Fred Ventura, an Italo disco trailblazer since first solo releases in 1984, “The production of this album was like a long journey, going through bad weather and back to the sun several times. We had to face the reality of working from distance and without the usual production jam we used before the pandemic”. More material was written than could be included so now comes ‘Midnight Confessions Vol2’.

‘Midnight Confessions Vol1’ featured guests including Swedish performance artist Tobias Bernstrup and French superstar Etienne Daho on lead vocals and while there are no star names this time round, in addition to Ventura’s voice, there is the return of Francesca Gastaldi who featured on 2018’s ‘Humanize’ and Jaia Sowden who sang Jay-Jay Johanson’s ‘On The Radio’ for the interim covers album ‘Nordisko’ of 2023.

‘The Wait’ is superb, with warm electronic bass and catchy sequences like the best imperial phase PET SHOP BOYS providing a fine opening. Into the night, the instrumentally strong ‘Lover 2 Lover’ does the same and is uplifting despite the melancholic lyrical lilt.

Not an OASIS cover, ‘Live Forever’ sees Francesca Gastaldi’s shine brightly over a robust electronic backdrop with some glorious uplifts. The octave bass laden ‘Cold War Lovers’ is more enigmatic with a delightfully long instrumental introduction but no less catchy in its presence as Ventura laments the lack of disco interaction as a metaphor calling for peace in the world

Despite the lost love, Why’ retains an optimistic mood in a pacey cacophony of electronics laced with percussive breaks. Meanwhile simultaneously pulsating, swooping and droning, ‘Systematic’ plays on the sixteens to offer a colder take on Italo while being no less hook laden. With “impact and disorder”, ‘Just Like Water’ is laced in melody with Jaia Sowden providing her wistful touch in a bittersweet story of discontent and disconnect.

En Français using an AI generated female voice, ‘Europa’ pays homage to the art movements and machine music of the continent in a dramatic midtempo spoken word piece accompanied by thematic synth passages that could be Jean-Michel Jarre while giving KRAFTWERK, EURYTHMICS, TELEX, PET SHOP BOYS, PROPAGANDA, NEW ORDER, YAZOO, DAF, EINSTURZEN NEUBAUTEN, ULTRAVOX, LES RITA MITSOUKO and many others a name check.

The ‘Midnight Confessions’ title song generates a throbbing bass triplet over a lone analogue drum machine before building into a cascading disco track with bursts of sharp synth. With an alluring middle eight from Francesca Gastaldi, it provides a fitting conclusion to this enjoyably immediate long player.

As with all ITALOCONNECTION releases, the production is clean and danceable without being overbearing, making it suitable for the home, the car, the radio or the disco. It’s one for lovers of classic European electronic pop with that warm romantic Italian touch.

‘Midnight Confessions Vol2’ is released by Bordello A Parigi as a vinyl LP available direct from https://bordelloaparigi.com/shop/vinyl/italoconnection-midnight-confessions-vol-2-lp/

Download available on the usual platforms including https://italoconnection.bandcamp.com/album/midnight-confessions-vol-2

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Text by Chi Ming Lai
14th October 2024

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