This LA-based Witch House project brings a sense of foreboding and doom that is strangely welcome. The distant, ghostly vocals on this minimal track inspire childhood memories of favorite horror movies. It gave me the creeps in the best possible way. Their sound has a touch of lo-fi, which suits the vibe of this track well. Harsh bursts of synth seem to attack from every direction while the jarring beat keeps the listener off-balance. Ideal for walking through graveyards on foggy nights.
Hearing a band from Estonia doesn’t happen every day around here. So I was intrigued by a band that hails from Tallinn, Estonia and what this Baltic region band has to offer. ‘Ashes Indigo’ is the first single from the forthcoming release, scheduled for mid-November. An ethereal and ambient aesthetic permeates this track with an 808 kick holding down the rhythm. The dreamy female vocals compliment it well, giving the song a pop sensibility without being trite. Interesting layers and textures are at work along with tranquil melodies. It’s easy on the nerves but with a subtle edginess to it.
Eva X proudly wears her synthpop influence on her sleeve. Her new single, ‘Machine’, grinds with intense rhythms while the vocals play to the more operatic side of Eva’s voice with energy and poise. I love how her lyrics can project angst while her voice projects attitude all at the same time. Touching on subjects like technology and isolation, Eva offers insight from the perspective of “a robot girl singing about human things”, as it reads on her Bandcamp profile. The hard-hitting remix by GRENDEL is a rocker that has a feel that is perfect for jamming out in the car until you look down and realize you’re driving way too fast.
All music written and performed by SPANKTHENUN. Lyrics by SPANKTHENUN and Claus Larsen. All tracks mastered by SPANKTHENUN.
It’s some of the harder-edged stuff I’ve heard lately. It makes me think of the days when I’d go see live industrial bands in the basement of old Club Soma in San Diego back in the early 90s. Industrial was still fun and new to me back then. SPANKTHENUN recaptures that feeling. This Dallas duo has been very busy during the lockdown with a string of releases throughout the last year. Their most recent single, ‘Off Beatings’, features their frequent collaborator, Claus Larsen of Leæther Strip. The Bunker Tapes VOL. II, the full album, is due at the end of October. Remixes by Batavia, Eva X, Hostile Architect, John Mirland and Rebel Empire guarantee there’s something here for anyone who wants to stomp the dance floor. It has a raw naked aggression that’s held together with a groove. Should be played loudly.
