Upon hearing of Tess LaCoell’s (Violet Wanda) collaboration with DJ Marionette for the Trans charity album “Transversal”, I said I want to hear it as Tess made an intriguing argument that we all should. After listening to the first 3 tracks, I told Tess that not only would I play the entire album in the Overtime section on my Birthday edition of my “New Music Fridays of the Modern DARKSCENE” show on June 28, and that it would be ideal as I hadn’t done anything for PRIDE (even though I consider myself an ally). Not only did I promise that, I foolishly also promised I would review the entire album even though I previously only did one or two line reviews of singles I really liked.
Now I rarely go into genres and sub-genres on my show as I askew pigeon-holing band into into static labels (“It’s A Trap”). Instead I consider my shows “Genre Fluid”, a term I borrowed months ago from Betty X’s exclusive T-shirt design. Now that seems like a piece of kismet as Tess wrote in the Liner Notes of “Transversal” that Betty X has a saying, “Artists Helping Artists”. I just hope this DJ can do the same with this review. Lofty goals but honestly I could play this entire album, soup to nuts, anytime. Buy it on Bandcamp at:
https://paralunarecords.bandcamp.com/album/transversal
Top tracks include, in track order, Dead Girl Dancing, Loneliness is A Poison, Panic, I’m A Raver, Countdown, A Trap, and Pre-Sentient (the Violent Wanda remix of the Valor 13 track).
1. Tears for the Dying – Dead Girl Dancing
Gorgeous synth starts this song and album off and sets the bar for this album before the beat kicks in to a danceable song of death coming for you, feeling disoriented, and realizing there’s nothing tethering you to the World anymore. “See me, hear me, take my hand/Let′s go for a walk in the boneyard/
See me, hear me, take my hand/Let’s dance in the fog”. Very deep. Not about giving up on life but moving on and finding reason to dance anyway.
2. DJ Marionette – Splinter
A dark rhythmic danceable number that would keep me on the dancefloor when I was ready to stop.
3. Ghoststomper – AIRLOCKCONTAINMENT
Plodding stomper that keeps you sane while your computer runs its end of day repots.
4. Dee Decay – Maijulie
A hard rhythmic mystical instrumental romp
5. Hyperestis – Loneliness Is A Poison
“Loneliness is a poison/delivered by a kiss/ remember if I get too close/always remember this…” The grinding rhythm of this song starts and you think it’s a lovers’ lament after a breakup with their last argument echoing in their head and turns into a dark revenge fantasy.
6. Zvrra – TTF (Time To Fight)
This is a whirling dirvish EBM instrumental. Total fun.
7. Cameron Evesque Davis – Panic
Breathing through a panic attack. Whether the panic or real or not this song could be the danceable mantra to shake yourself loose.
8. Jordana – I’m A Raver
I can’t tell you much about this drum and bass “raver,” as it made me want to jump on the dancefloor leaving my phone and wheelchair behind. Powerful stuff.
10. Violet Wanda – Countdown
What can I say about Tess LaCoell’s contribution to this album except it’s the best instrumental on the album.
11. Jordana – A Trap
This track is the emotional and spiritual center of this album centering on being descriminated against for who you are and who you love. Plus it helps that this has the beats that flows that makes one want to dance as you fight the powers that be and are the brick walls that would dare to snatch your own empowerment.
9. Valor 13 – Pre-Sentient
This electronic steps through an AI’s awakening into sentience initiated by Valor 13.
12. Valor 13 – Pre-Sentient (Violet Wanda remix)
A faster, danceable remix by Violet Wanda that shows our now Sentient hero, ready to fight for the validation of its own existence whether regardless if the sentience is just a veil for what this album is about.
Remember, pick up “Transversal” on Bandcamp at:
https://paralunarecords.bandcamp.com/album/transversal