Hi everyone!
This month, like every month... no wait, not like any month! Because there is a Bandcamp Friday, and we cover it again!
So here are some good releases to check out.
Night in Athens - Requiem Mécanique
As a teen, I wasn't really into goth, but I grew on me, and today, some of the most interesting (and some of darkest) music projects are connected to goth.
Or is this even goth? Sorry, but I can see Detroit ca. 1985 or even Kraftwerk mutate into these sounds... pristine electric beats, and almost "vintage" synth sounds linger on.
Oh yeah, N.I.A. is one of my fav new artists.
https://nightinathens.bandcamp.com/track/requiem-me-canique
Xerxes the Dark - Of a Dead World
Xerxes the Dark is a Dark Ambient and Industrial Noise artist in the city of Tehran in Iran - how cool is that?
And most definitely one of my prefered Dark Ambient producers.
The descriptions reads:
"the album reflects the artist’s profound anxieties and existential dread regarding the uncertain, bleak future of both Iran and the wider world."
And I guess that's the truth.
https://xerxesthedark.bandcamp.com/album/of-a-dead-world
Timecop1983 - Night Drive (Instrumental Edition)
From what I know, TC83 is one of the more widely known (and earliest) synthwave producers.
And that's what you get here! Music that makes you feel like a Crockett or Tubbs, driving down ocean drive, while some shady deal goes wrong and the shadows are on your tail already... and the camera eye pans on the atlantic ocean at night while the credits roll, and so do the tracks on this album roll!
https://timeslaves.bandcamp.com/album/night-drive-instrumental-edition
Nox Arcana - Darkfall, Vol. 5
Nox Arcana apparently means "secrets of the night" or "nightly secrets" (or "mysteries" ? )
I never quite understood what they are (another mystery!), but it seems they do soundtracks for all kinds of movies, books, comics. Just that these do not exist!
There is an album for a pirate themed story, for example, or an edgar allen poe-alike. Or about witches and sorcerers. But literally just the tracks, there is no real pirate movie or horror novel attached to it.
It's an interesting concept for sure, to make these "fictional soundtrack" albums! And their sound feels *very* cinematic, indeed.
So, you see, there is a dark theme to their releases, and this goes for this new "darkfall" volume, too.
https://noxarcana.bandcamp.com/album/darkfall-vol-5
Dead Astronauts - Shallow Grave
I am a huge synthwave fan since day one (well, actually, since the 80s, when the original new wave sound was around).
But, at least in my opinion, over the years, synthwave became more mediocre and a lot of releases were put out that were mediocre, and all sounded the same.
The Dead Astronauts always stood out for me, and their past single "b-side" is one of my favorite songs of all time (not just in synthwave!).
so i was more than happy when this new album was announced.
and, my verdict is: it's rocking!
https://deadastronauts.bandcamp.com/album/shallow-grave
S*x Dream - Dry Ice
Despite the band name, S*x Dream is not too NSFW. They're a lofi punk band, and I do not know much about them.
But, by the look of their videos, and the sound of their... well, sounds, they seem to be a group of three friends who just formed a band to have fun, and not having a care in the world. And being a bit silly and snotty at it, at the same time.
That there is both a "punky" and "dreamy" mix of the same song on the eponymous release might prove that point.
https://sexxdream.bandcamp.com/album/dry-ice