TVAM : "Ruins"

This electronic artist from Manchester plays a dark mix of dream-pop that warbles its way into something that is vvitch house adjacent at times. The opening track mesmerizes you with its sound, then the second song finds him proving he can write songs as well, but in such a way that it sets the tone for the rest of the album. "The Words' is more upbeat and comes across like a lo-fi version of early Cold Cave. But it still works, though I hope the rest of the album is not in this direction, but more like the first two songs. I would be more likely to call this cold wave than dark wave as it's not as dark and less dramatic, with the dream pop atmosphere he dips into from time to time softening the mood. 

"Real Life" finds the synths coming more forward, before they really head out to the dance floor on "Power Blue" which is weird enough for me to like it. I can hear Cold Cave comparisons, with his voice being the main thing that separates the two, as it's a more delicate touch than the cavernous croon Wesley employs. The groove darkens on ''Follow Me Home", I can easily hear this fitting into a goth night DJ set. It was pointed out to me that they also might be compared to Drab Majesty, but this is more driving dance music.  

There is a more early Depeche Mode feel to " Love Like Glue". It is another dance floor banger. I think the fact there is a diverse range of sounds on this album rather than just painting himself into a corner."Sweetness and Light" finds them getting into murkier waters as they float into a shoegaze haze. Their darkest. Moment closes the album. If it wasn't for the vocals, this might cross over into gth whih would be the second song to really do so. Just so we are clear, this is not a goth album, but it is adjacent enough to appeal to the cross-section of the fan base that is into the newer indie electronic music. I think it captures a great mood as I am a sucker for hypnotic, drugged-out music so I wil give it a 9.5.

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