February Music Check-In
A few stragglers from last year
KANGA - “Under Glass”
Electro-Industrial artist KANGA has been building a reputation for herself over the past several years with a sound reminiscent of Nine Inch Nails. I’ve seen KANGA referred to as a female Trent Reznor even (considering that she’s actually worked with NIN producers it’s an apt description). To be honest, her sound has yet to really grab me. With her latest album Under Glass she’s attempted to broaden her appeal and soften her edges by leaning toward a more pop sound. Overall I don’t think the change suits her.
Listening to the album, on the title track, my ears picked up. “Is that what I think it is?” I muttered. Yes, it is. Halfway through the track at 2:05 she suddenly borrows the melody from Sarah McLachlan’s big chorus from the 1999 collaboration Delerium track “Silence”. (skip to 3:18 to compare) This might seem like an odd choice at first but “Silence” is one of those forgotten singles that still gets play in goth clubs (a phenomenon that could be the subject of it’s own post).
I like how even though she’s straight ripping the melody she manages to make it her own. It’s a great little nod to a song that’s been bopping around in dark dance clubs for years. And if anyone is concerned that she’s stealing someone else’s work, KANGA recently worked with Delerium on a song, so I would reckon the band is okay with her usage here.
Johnny Dynamite and the Bloodsuckers - “Bats in the Woods”
He’s a mulleted drummer in a battle vest from Philadelphia, and he wants you know that he has a sensitive side. From Born Losers Records, which brought to you one of last year’s faves Catherine Moan, comes the wonderfully named Johnny Dynamite & the Bloodsuckers.
The song is very indebted to the 80’s, with it’s repeated “take me out tonight” just a one word difference from the chorus to another well known 80’s song.
I’m reminded a bit of Billy Idol in that though Billy had the look of some British punk, his music wasn’t punk at all but instead it was essentially pop. Johnny’s doing the same thing here - he looks punk but his music is pure 80s pop revival. The song also contains a well place f-bomb that gives the song just a little edge and provides some catharsis.
Arwelone - “Into the Night” (feat. Camille Glémet)
Though I still find it all a bit derivative, I just can’t help but like a good synthwave song when I hear one. Ukrainian synthwave artist Arwelone enlists the help of French singer Camille Glémet to give us this synthy dreamy indulgence. And if you want to watch a video that really leans into 80s nostalgia, you could watch the version with visuals taken from the 1985 horror film Phenomena starring a young Jennifer Connelly in her first lead role. Either way you choose, you can let that dreamy 80s synth wash over you.