Tag Archives: 2010

Darkstar – North

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

mid aughts uk electro, gloomy synth pop with digital interference

Moods

A mournful synthpop record that explores man's fragile relationship with machines

Thoughts

has that slightly dark quality certain bands can pull off well (think wild beasts, miike snow, spiritualized). It's emotional music but some of the impact feels limited by the reliance on synthesisers. Poetic in a 'ghost in the machine' exhausted-by-technology kind of way but at 10 years old, it definitely feels like commentary from a time before now; when we admired technology before we truly started to fear it's scary data (people) focus.

I think I like the sound more than the overall songs but it's a good record nonetheless. Darkstar utilize this cracking in the vocals that has an interesting effect, I thought my files were corrupt the first time. I interpret it as a commentary on man's role in music, the beautiful imperfection.

Mark Fisher originally brought this to my attention, worth a read here:

https://markfisherreblog.tumblr.com/post/32185314385/you-remind-me-of-gold-dialogue-with-simon

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Darkstar-North/release/2494475

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OY8-85U4UWo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1oC0-xx_Hc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osIZ5ETBBeM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHJwtc2qYPU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5d7nUgy4_Jc

Spotify


Schema Info

Darkstar – North

Description: Album Review of Darkstar – North


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Actress – Splazsh

by ·

★★★★☆ = Quality release and suggested listening

Sounds like?

Accessible experimental electro

Moods

Deep dank dark club music

Thoughts

this isn't gunning for the dance floor but it would work really well in certain 'dance' settings. Thinking smoke machines, deep, rhythmic.

It conjures up bad sound systems with tracks that have this bloated bass like you're listening to a dj through the basement floor of a club. Maybe that's the point: It's club like music presented out of context, from far away. Detached as an observer. The whole thing feels hazy, like it's filtered through something. weed maybe… i dunno but there's a separation between the listener and the music.

He's pushing electronic music forward in his own way, I suspect this will age well. At 10 years it still sounds relevant.

 

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Actress-Splazsh/release/2281630

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0FmZReUWXU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcnRT-m9MYo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqUzSq1MVh0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0bJUbcBP_c

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqQFMjUySio

Spotify


Schema Info

Actress – Splazsh

Description: Album Review of Actress – Splazsh


Rating: 4 out of 5

 

Barbara Morgenstern – Fan No. 2

by ·

★★☆☆☆ = Eh, fine

What’s it sound like?

Synth pop sung primarily in German. Production is a step above diy but this is a 1 woman show though showcases a variety of instrumentation with guitar and proper keys mixed in.

Thoughts
Authentic German vibes. More than just the lyrics, it has a Berlin soul that I like. An album where the pleasure is from the effort put into the joy of song rather delivering super great pop songs. Ultimately I found the lyrical content lacking, either abstract or just general ruminations (come to Berlin? ), where I wasn’t hooked.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Barbara-Morgenstern-Fan-No-2/release/2513594

Listen!
Spotify