Cititrax/Minimal Wave US Vinyl & CDs

Review: Cititrax/Minimal Wave come together to put out this new release from the Vancouver-based synth wave duo Cosmetics, which was originally formed by Nic Emm and Aja Emma in 2008. They have been quiet over recent years but recently got back together with a new full-length called Baby that's due soon. The lead singles from it now arrive on this 7" and are full of sultry minimal sounds, moody synth craft and seductive vocals from Emma that really cut through as the clavier a dark, film-like narrative that is beautifully beguiling. A great return ahead of the much anticipated full length.

Review: The fact that Minimal Wave's sister label Cititrax is less prolific is undoubtedly down to their finely curated efforts to seek out musicians that fit the label's aesthetic to a tee, and that's very much evident on this impeccably presented 7" release from Kontravoid. You might know Cam Findlay from his stint as the drummer in Crystal Castles, or as the producer behind fellow Toronto act Parallels, but he now operates under the Kontravoid alias and this Native State 7" features two exclusive vinyl only renditions of tracks that featured on the self titled Kontravoid debut album that was released earlier this year. One listen to the title track or "Cut To Cleanse" makes it clear why Veronica Vasicka wanted to induct Kontravoid into the Cititrax canon, and their description of Findlay's music being the kind of thing you'd find "on a limited run cassette circa 1980-something, the type of tape buried in lost upstate dustbins of pre-MIDI analog electronics, wedged between Cabaret Voltaire and Das Ding" is flawless.