Tags: Cold Wave/Dark Wave

Review: Blkmarket Underground Music Party Edits is a sub-label to the influential Blkmarket, an esteemed label and event series in New York. Contrary to what that catalogue number might indicate, this is actaully their second release and has Facets at the controls. First up is 'Computers' with its raw and snappy analogue drum sounds and late-night synth details. 'Time Of War' is another full-fat blend of analogue drum thump and driving synth motifs, 'Talk To Me' has crashing cold-wave synths and deadpan vocals and 'Paranoia' has loopy vocals and moody atmospheres for freaky dancing. 'Lies' and 'Dub To Destruct' shut down this varied and retro-tinged EP with jerking rhythms that will do plenty of damage.

Review: The Space Trace label keeps quality high with this fourth outing on wax. Eric Os is on the button for this one with 'Underworld' first to lure you into its world with gently broken bets and moody pads setting an eerie tone. 'Stereophysical' is more jacked up with fizzing synth lines and warped pads over future house beats and 'Elusive' bringing some trance energy to its flashy, bright synths. 'Electrodreammachine' is a wonky electro workout with withering sci-fi motifs, puling synth sequences and raw hits. 'Feeling Real' and 'Cherry Red' complete the EP with more blends of house, electroclash and sleazy guitar riffs.

Review: The London-based band, known for their post-industrial fusion of live drums, synthesisers and noise, deliver a high-intensity release with 'Between You'. On Side-1, the original mix is a relentless, driving forceipowered by a pounding rhythm, heavy chords and a dynamic structure that builds with raw intensity. The track's weighty sound and electrifying energy make it a true floor-filler, perfect for dark, sweat-drenched dancefloors. Side-2's extended mix stretches the tension further, amplifying the track's industrial undertones and deepening its hypnotic pull. The expanded arrangement allows the rhythmic propulsion to breathe, enhancing its body-moving power. Blending elements of coldwave, darkwave and experimental techno, this record highlights the band's ability to craft visceral, high-impact electronic music that bridges the gap between raw post-industrial energy and contemporary club sound.

Review: An EP that takes you through elevated 80s-inspired coldwave and synth soundscapes, matching nostalgia with modern production and featuring a seamless fusion of proto-techno, EBM and synth-pop. Side-1 opens with Deborah Sasson & MCL's 'Danger In Her Eyes' (Curses Revamp), a thrilling reimagination of new beat and synth-pop. The addition of vocal samples elevates its vintage essence, delivering a futuristic gem that's both haunting and danceable. Next, Andi's rework of 'Philadelphia Five's Not Leaving Without Jerry' injects energy with its uptempo groove, merging EBM rhythms with a dash of disco flair for an infectious, club-ready cut. Side-2 starts with 'House Fatale' (Curses Revamp) by JWB Hits The Beat, an ode to late 80s synth-pop akin to My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult. Chopped vocals and melodic synths create a hypnotic, era-defining vibe. Finally, Stockholm Syndrome AU's revamp of 'Voyou's Houseman' leans into heavier industrial and EBM tones, blending them for a powerful conclusion. This collection is a great example in reviving and reinventing vintage sounds, offering a fresh perspective on timeless styles.

Review: Rusty Egan Presents Blitzed! offers a vivid sonic journey back to London's Blitz Club circa 1980, capturing the essence of the New Romantic movement with meticulous detail. As the resident DJ at the epicenter of this cultural phenomenon, Rusty Egan curated a soundtrack that defined an era and shaped the future of British pop music. This compilation meticulously captures the eclectic mix of influences that fueled the Blitz Club's electric atmosphere. From Bowie and Roxy Music to Kraftwerk and European electronic pioneers, Egan's sets seamlessly blended diverse musical styles, creating a sonic tapestry that transcended genres. The tracks on Blitzed! reflect the club's diverse clientele, from fashion designers to art school kids, post boys to pop stars in the making. The compilation's contemporary photography by Sheila Rock, Peter Ashworth, and Terry Smith, along with insightful sleeve notes by Alexis Petridis and Rusty Egan himself, provide a comprehensive look into the era and its cultural impact. Blitzed! not only celebrates the music of the time but also serves as a historical document of a revolutionary moment in British pop culture. It's a must-have for anyone interested in the New Romantic movement and the influential role of clubs like The Blitz in shaping music history.

Review: The music of London's Blitz nightclub is celebrated with a new box-set curated by Rusty Egan, the man who, with Steve Strange, helped usher in a transition from the late 70s musical gloom into a glamorous, sonorous new 1980s. After their prior band, Rich Kids, disbanded in 1978, Egan and Strange saw through their enterprising excesses with a new venture, launching the Blitz club as a wine bar in Covent Garden. Bottling the unique, generic essence of the nightclub - at a time where the styles and sounds of David Bowie, Sade, Spandau Ballet, Boy George, Billy Idol, Ultravox, Visage, Marilyn and Gary Numan reigned supreme, yet were often not heard all in one physical place - this new reminiscence compilation brings both well-known and lesser-heard gems of the Blitz era to a fantastically fresh set of ears, proving that even you, too, can be a hero, just for one day.

Review: The arrival of Il Quadro di Troisi could not have been more ironic. Anything but new faces on the music scene, the Italian electronic partnership of Eva Geist and Donato Dozzy debuted as the reality of living in a pandemic really began to hit home - November 2020. A month that usually calls for their brand of dark, Ital-disco-cold-synth stuff was void of the situations you'd want to hear it in. No parties, no clubs, no concerts - not even an opportunity to stick it on when getting ready to do something. Nevertheless, we've more than made up for it now, and having grown incredibly close betwixt that waking nightmare and today's chaos, the arrival of a new LP is an enticing prospect. As the notes explain, "everything changes, all things evolve, nothing stays the same... La Commedia marks the band's embrace of a more traditional song form, shaped by a very personal and distinctive musical style. The distinguishing elements of Il Quadro di Troisi's music meld into a unique mix that is both seductive and eerie, elegant and earthy, contemporary and timeless."