Gothtober - Blood Handsome : "Nostalgia Hold"

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This falls under the new millennial dark wave that finds murky lo-fi artists like Boy Harsher and TR/ST flourishing. The dead can vocal delivery, does not have the emotional charisma of say Gary Numan, who, along with old Depeche Mode, I hear the most in these kinds of artists. The synth layers have to do all the heavy lifting as the sing-song monotone of the vocals works more like another texture of sound that gives it a human enough feel. It is not that dark. I would have added more effects to the vocals, but the production choices here are what they are. I am not sure I hear a churning dancefloor in my mind's eye when I envision this

I think what begins to bore me with this sort of thing is that there is no heaviness involved. "Dreaming in Silver" has more motion in its synth-driven propulsion. The vocals remind me of the Pet Shop Boys more than Gary Numan at times, even when sitting back in the reverb. Three songs in, it feels like I am getting more introspective vibes than anything dark, though it is a few shades darker than new wave. "Inside" has a more frantic beat. The vocals are a little more obscured in the mix. There are some synths in the background making UFO noises. The songs are compact, never overindulging to sprawl out on their own ambiance. All under four minutes. 

A more spectral atmosphere begins to haunt " Awaken" with a distant vocal chant that works more for the purpose of atmosphere. This one gives me more of a Psychic TV vibe. "Fear' is the first song that feels more darkwave to me. "Dark Matter" rides the line between dark wave and future pop as the synths move in a creepier direction. The last song floats along on its own atmosphere. There are some catch-22s with the vocals, I prefer when they are more atmospheric like Psychic TVaand less in the spotlight like the Pet Shop Boys, but it also makes things less song oriented arnd more about the mood, if you need things super beat driven for the dance floor there are moments but not the album as a whole, I will give it an 8.5 as it works for what it is. 

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