CHRYPTOCHROMA- Omnious Clouds (CD) (Self-Released) Jan Vinoelst has been working with synths in all kinds of projects and bands for some time. Even before the 1990s, he was already active in bands such as Cluster M13 and Messier 39. The man from Sint-Niklaas is now releasing a strongly analogue synth based record with his oneman project Cryptochroma.The record was baptized Ominous Clouds.Throwback’; a firm dose of wave with menacing basslines and dark synths sounds of the 1980s.Very powerful indeed! The ingredients are known…Analog synths, with sounds to die for.The“fun”melodies are backed by equally old-school analog drum machines.We can't really call it minimal as such, as sometimes the pounding beats are just a little too danceable and too heavy. But who’s complaining? ‘Fifth Wave’ is such a danceable mash-up,driven by dark beats.Darkly threatening.Also vocally,because Jan's voice blends perfectly in this musical cocktail…. Jan's (and mine) preference for analogue machinery and the pull back to the darkminimal,which is still very danceable at times is very appreciated! Thank you Jan! We want more! [JB] SPARKS -The Girl Is Crying In Her Latte (CD/ Vinyl / Digital) (Island Records) Brothers Ron (°1945) and Russell (°1948) Mael of The Sparks are almost 80 but since their formation in 1966 (until 1971 they were called Halfnelson) they have continued to amaze with strong albums in a mix of glam rock, art rock and (later) new wave. Remember their biggest hit "This Town Ain't Big Enough For Both Of Us" from 1974, which is stuck in the collective memory. It's now 50 years later and the brothers from Los Angeles are still doing it! What really appeals to me about Sparks is that they don't just rehash their illustrious past (they could get away with it perfectly) but that they still evolve musically and remain innovative. For example, the new album “The Girl Is Crying In Her Latte” (14 tracks, 47 minutes playing time) is undeniably influenced by 'minimal' and we do not so much mean minimal wave but the minimal music of Philip Glass, Michael Nyman and the like. Ron Mael is responsible for all keyboards on the album, little brother Russell Mael for all vocals and they are supported by four guest musicians on guitar, bass and drums… [HV] STAATSEINDE - De Nieuwe Golf (Vynil / Digital) Staatseinde, the interstellar cosmonauts, now reduced to a duo, create a theatrical mix of pulsating electro with nostalgic hopebringing synth melodies. All performed absolutely live with synthesizers,a sequencer and stimulating vocals.Their new release (Wave Tension Records) “De Nieuwe Golf” (=“The New Wave”) is characterised by dystopian prospects and hopeful sounds, which confirms Staatseinde's name as the founder of the “Neue Niederländische Welle”, or the New Dutch Wave.it. So thanks for that! The song speaks about those who cannot keep up with the speed of our modern society. Bassline, bone dry rhythms and bleeping analogue synths as an extra ingredient. Staats Einde, or you like them…or you don’t.They are incomprehensible at times and that means that these Dutch boys always remain surprising. Not in as such in terms of musical style, because that remains rather consistent. But more the lashes and the variety they manage to produce within their the own sound they have established.This album is also one that I fall in love with,more and more after every listen., there is no escape! [JB] DARKVOLT - Electric Angel (Digital) New and Belgian, that's how we can announce this DarkVolt, a solo project presenting their first single "Electric Angel" (in five different versions) as a digital-only release for now. This song has some history, as "Electric Angel" was also the very first song to emerge from Frederik Strobbe's machinery and has undergone numerous changes since. Similarly, the man behind DarkVolt has evolved, delving into producing more techno and dance music but... In 2023, he returned to an old love with a new twist, focusing more on industrial and EBM-leaning tracks. For this purpose, Dresscode Black has been founded as a sub-label of Detroit Berlin."Electric Angel" is a dark electro track with dance aspirations, repetitive in the club version but also more trippy/trancy in its 'angels on acid remix' and hallucinogenic in the 'rogue mix'… (Dresscode Black) .[KI] Read full reviews on http://www.peek-a-boo-magazine.be/en/reviews/ - 5 - www.peek-a-boo-magazine.be
6 Publizr Home