crucifera : era "Exostential"

 

The creative force behind this project is Danielle Astraea, who combatted the problem that the vast majority of new dark wave runs into by giving the music some sonic rock balls. In doing so, she invokes the spirit of 90s electro-tinged alternative and puts her in a similar musical zip code as artists like Kidney Thieves and Snake River Conspiracy, though darker than the latter. But wait, that is not the best part; she actually uses her voice more like an instrument to color the songs, rather than try to emulate pop vocal hooks, yet proves herself capable of drawing you in. 

The paino is her primary instrument, but she does not relegate that to center stage and instead allows a mix of brooding and sensual grooves to keep her songs slithering through the dark corners of your d  dreams. This is perhaps best epitomized in the song "Better". Sometimes the ambiance woven around the songs carries more of the creepy ambiance of  Switchblade Symphony, but it's balanced out by hefty beats. Lyrically their a range from what might be personal torment to addressing social issues on songs like "Martyr Box", which addresses the rising tide of victim self-identification. It's hard not to appreciate someone who goes against the lowest-common-denominator narrative here. 

"saVior" finds the vocals sitting back against a more sexual slink that possesses the drum programming, which also refuses to conform to the expectations of most dark wave fans that have been trained to think production value that is stuck in the nostalgia for the early 80s is true goth. A silly notion considering all of those bands progressed beyond that era. She pushes further into darkness with the pulse of "Pity" that drips with sardonic snarl of its own amid well-layered vocals and synths. "The Empty" is more rooted in a haunting piano line with vocals that carry the dream-laden nature of Kate Bush. Much like Kate, the sense of melodrama is balanced with a more honest emotional current. While Kate Bush is one of my favorite artists, I find that when other singers try to tread similar water, they end up doing the Nightwishy washy thing I don't care for, but this seems to be rooted in a longing I connect with more.

"Burning to Death" moves off a more rock-centric beat, with the vocals following a more 90s flavored path until midway into the song, as they follow the music into a darker shift. Earlier, I noticed an inflection in her voice that made me think of Cyndi Lauper, and I hear it again on the last song, "Black Tongues," which is the album's most driving rock moment. I will round this one up to a 10 as I think the moments that might not have grabbed me will grow on me and are balanced by the more powerful moments. Hihgly recommended for fans of 90s goth who would to hear it in the context of today's production values. 

 

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