VNV Nation returns with Construct, their twelfth studio album, set to release on May 9 via Anachron Sounds. This album, featuring 10 emotional tracks, explores themes of personal evolution, incorporating insights from frontman Ronan Harris’s life and relationships. It contrasts with its companion album, Destruct, which will delve into darker psychological themes. The vinyl and digital formats are available for pre-order, with a unique cover design reflecting retrofuturism. A tour supporting the albums has already begun. What do you think the balance between light and dark themes in art and music reveals about our own personal struggles? Read the Full…
Author: Ritualcontrol
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Last month, while exploring the Gary Numan website, I stumbled upon a hilariously clever item: a car air freshener featuring Numan’s iconic 1979 aesthetic, complete with a “new car smell.” Available for just $7.99, it reflects Numan’s humorous approach to merchandise. In contrast, Duran Duran launched two high-end fragrances in collaboration with luxurious Italian brand Xerjoff, with prices around €315 for 50ml, showcasing a stark difference in market positioning between the two bands. Is this divergence in product offerings a reflection of their respective fan bases, or does it highlight broader shifts in music and brand culture, where accessibility and…
Summary: "Protection Spells," the third album from Ships In The Night, the project of Alethea Leventhal, blends dark pop with themes of trauma, magic, and resilience. Released digitally and on CD on May 9, it features incantations designed to empower listeners amid challenging times. The album includes evocative tracks like "Some Of Those Dreams" and "Blood Harmony," and Leventhal’s unique sound marries lush electronic production with gripping vocal arrangements. A live performance is set for the release date at an event honoring David Lynch. Thought-Provoking Statement: As "Protection Spells" weaves magic and trauma into its fabric, how do you think…
Replicant, the Chicago-based dark electro, post-punk, and synthwave band, is set to release their third full-length album, Daybreaker, on June 13, six years after their last album. The album features the lead single "Voids" and includes tracks like "Hellbound" and "Heavensent," which were released together two years ago. Mixed and mastered by Sanford Parker, Daybreaker can be pre-ordered on Bandcamp in digital and vinyl formats. The band also released Replicant Live at Spellbound earlier this year and a remastered single, "Bloodmoon ’24," to celebrate their tenth anniversary. What themes or sounds do you think Daybreaker will explore, given the band’s…
La chitarra di Margherita Marcatali si distingue nel suono poderoso dei Mondaze, creando un contrasto tra forza e fragilità. Margherita, autodidatta e fan di Fender, racconta la sua evoluzione musicale, dall’uso di una Peavey Raptor a una Mustang con pickup P90, la cui sonorità “ignorante” diventa essenziale nelle sue performance. La sua esperienza in tour è segnata da incontri singolari con il pubblico, rivelando le aspettative contrastanti tra artista e spettatore. Quali sono, secondo te, le sfide nel mantenere la propria autenticità artistica quando ci si confronta con le opinioni del pubblico? Read the Full Article
Dublin-based artist Molly Noise has unveiled her single "A Matter of Discipline" from her upcoming album. Released on May 2, the track features a pulsating synth and whispered lyrics that explore the complex relationship between body and mind, questioning whether discipline stems from personal will or external pressure. The accompanying music video, crafted by Sarah Zedig, enhances the song’s provocative themes through its dark, minimalistic visuals. Noise’s work reflects on the dangers of obsessive behavior surrounding health and fitness, while also highlighting her identity as a trans woman. This album follows her 2021 release, Profane Feminine, and continues her exploration…
Hilliard “Sweet Pea” Atkinson passed away on May 5, 2020, yet his loss resonated quietly, overshadowed by the pandemic. Revered for his raw, powerful voice and unique style, he rose to prominence with the band Was (Not Was), captivating audiences with tracks like “Walk the Dinosaur.” Born in 1945 and discovered by Don Was, Sweet Pea’s gritty, soulful sound was a throwback to an era that seemed to fade away but found fresh expression in the eclectic music scene of the ’80s. His legacy includes collaborations with legends and a successful stint as a backing vocalist, underscoring his versatility. As…
San Francisco’s AURSJOEN, driven by Ria Aursjoen, unveils her debut ‘Strand’ EP, featuring the mystical single “Apollo.” Produced by goth legend William Faith, the EP fuses Aursjoen’s Nordic roots with ethereal, darkwave elements. Aursjoen, a classically-trained singer with synesthetic abilities, draws inspiration from personal experiences and musical influences, shaping a unique sonic landscape that captures both light and dark. As “Apollo” explores the voice as a powerful instrument, blending themes of summoning and creative expression, it invites listeners to consider how music can transcend mere sound to evoke deeper emotional connections. Thought-Provoking Question: How can artists harness their personal narratives…
Ria Aursjoen is making waves not just as the vocalist/keyboardist of Octavian Winters but also through her solo project AURSJϕEN, with the release of her third single "Apollo." Written a decade ago, the track is a tribute to Monster Magnet’s Dave Wyndorf, showcasing Aursjoen’s admiration for his unique lyrical and vocal style. Featuring guitarist Stephan Bryan Salit and directed by David Kruschke, the captivating video imagery invokes themes of music and prophecy. Following "Nytår" and "For Want Of," "Apollo" marks Aursjoen’s full creative expression with her recent EP, Strand, a departure from collaborative efforts. Given Aursjoen’s admiration for Wyndorf and…
Summary: The new episode of "Lunedì shoegaze" features two Italian bands, Malafauna and Globuli Rossi, both delivering potent emotional soundscapes. Malafauna’s single "Ogni vuoto" channels heavy shoegaze reminiscent of My Bloody Valentine and Slowdive, emphasizing loud, layered guitars with subdued vocals that evoke deep emotional turmoil. Meanwhile, Globuli Rossi’s "Così rarefatta" combines eloquent simplicity with a lo-fi aesthetic, merging emo lyricism with a shoegaze vibe, hinting at a cathartic live experience. Discussion Prompt: As shoegaze continues to evolve, blending with various genres, how do you think these sonic textures can serve to express contemporary emotional struggles in music today? Read…