Brand new release on Les Disques De La Pantoufle from one of my favorite collaborations, legendary Belgian composer Jean- Marc Lederman (The Weathermen, Ghost & Writer, The The, Fad Gadget, Gene Loves Jezebel) and Detroit vocalist/producer Emileigh Rohn (Chiasm) who are always pushing the boundaries of modern emotional electronica. I love the bravery of Emileigh’s lyrical style, a flowing beat poetry of gushing ideas without pretense. Effortlessly matching the sonic composition between human experience and visual imagery. I just don’t get enough songs that make the hairs on my arms stand up, locked in a perfect moment like “There’s So Much to Share”
I’m always amazed when hearing a new Rohn-Lederman album by the level of craft. How following every tone, each decision, the level of thought and precision. It is important to follow the heart and create a mood when making music. Jean-Marc and Emileigh certainly make something beautiful and emotive. What really sets it apart in the modern landscape is their dedication and experience creating forms and move the listener. The lyrics are some of the darkest Emileigh has ever written, but with a glimmer of hope, which is maybe the best we can hope for in this tragic timeline.
Favorite Track:Paper Plane – Rolling waves and splashing dissonance in sounds of endless motion. There is something about this track that transports me to a youthful blur of imagination. Emileigh’s wispy fantastical vocals are captivating and pure. I love where this song transports my mind.
Recently I have found myself seeking out music that caused my mind to wander in fantastical textures and elevated thoughts. To listen beyond slamming club hits and bask in something inspirational. So I have chosen to share some intellectual sonic nourishment outside the mainstream. Most of what I have chosen isn’t the darkness Sounds and Shadows is known for. This is music drenched with vibrant colors to inspire and innovate. I hope you find something you love.
Chiasm – Chasing Butterflies – Amazing new remix EP from Emileigh Rohn of Michigan. An electronic producer with an impressive body of work that has honed her emotional electronic style into flashing blades that whirling dervish poetic musings. Compiling an all-star heist team of Beborn Beton, Stabbing Westward, Black Car Burning, Sapphiria Vee, Jean-Marc Lederman, and Steve Anthony to remix three tracks. Each one captures a different aspect of the chaotic manic wandering from the original. Emileigh has a wispy fae delivery in vocals that transports you to a supernatural realm, each canvas shows different hues. With all the legendary names taking on Chasing Butterflies, I found myself drawn in to Black Car Burning‘s version of “Dead Trees” with it’s greyscale contrasts and spoken word delivery. When I was a child I accidently saw Poltergeist staying up past my bedtime one night. The scene with the tree breaking through the window has always haunted me. Something about this remix struck me in the same way. I love a song that crawls under my skin.
released May 3, 2024
All songs written, programmed, performed and produced by Emileigh Rohn.
Recorded in MausHaus Studio 2020-2023. Mastered by Jean-Marc Lederman. Artwork by Christian Petke/DCore.
G.W. Childs IV – Spectrum – Last year I fell in love with the yee haw synth goth sound of G.W. from his EP “You Don’t Know“. I love a lofty concept and here G.W. addresses his childhood synesthesia by composing a sonic representation of each color in the pallet. Opening with Gold and winding a spiritual sidewinder through emotion and imagery to Silver. This album really stretches the human experience and makes sharp cuts for every track. The vocal delivery embraces a deliberate cadence with almost hip-hop aspects. This can’t cover the twang of Texas that makes the whole journey feel the sway of the saddle. Generally to write a review I listen to an album 3 times minimum. After playing this four times, I feel like I am barely scratching the surface. This record has a Tolkienesque feel of epic technicolor journey. A footstep by footstep quest past every pain or triumph that makes us human.
The whole point of this album is to use only sounds that let you close your eyes and see the essence of a color in your imagination. So choosing a favorite tracks is really tough. I suppose some did impact me the most. Maybe they were the tracks that captured my favorite colors. Maybe they reminded me of my favorite Tolkien characters once I made that connection.
Orange: This was my Tom Bombadil. Burnt synthesis. Sunsets, that moment of reflection right before a transition. An extra burst of energy before things go dark. Orange is a wild card. Orange is possibility.
Violet: This track is dangerous. This is mystery. A mist that doesn’t let you see to the horizon. Something supernatural made of dreams. Duality of bright and dark. Violet is both at once.
I love when an artist takes chances. This record took all the chances.
Written, programmed, performed and produced by G.W. Childs IV Executive Producer: Christian Petke Mastering by: (Slam) Stephen Lam
Rohn – Lederman – Black And Bleu – A brand new release from frequent collaborators Emileigh Rohn (US/ Chiasm) and Jean-Marc Lederman (Belgium/ The Weathermen, Ghost & Writer) on Jean-Marc’s new label Les Disques de la Pantoufle. A two disc CD with a clear tonal division. As composers Emileigh and Jean-Marc have always impressed me by forging raw emotions into a complex blended human experience. Black and Bleu takes that complete being, deconstructs it into laser thin aspects to categorize by the duality of contrasting colors. I highly recommend a physical copy with the stark contrasting artwork of Erica Hinyot.
The Black CD was more tortured and introspective. Emileigh’s voice went to a more passionate poetic place than their previous collaborations. It had me recalling another favorite electronic poet Susanne Vega and her 99.9 degrees F album. It’s such a powerful combination, the way no sound is wasted. Everything here has a purpose in the swirling black abyss. Each bass note, every synth pad, electronic brushes on electric drums. You never hear a crescendo unless you have to, because when the impact comes it needs to strike hard.
Black Favorite Track – Eggshells – I LOVE when a CD closes with the most powerful and revealing track. This simple piano and reverberating strings paint such a tapestry for a soul shaking poem. I’ve tried to walk forward in life, on what I knew was dangerous ground. I could feel every tentative step and my heart went out. when music is something you don’t just listen to, but feel.
The Bleu CD let’s you see the color, a more hopeful twilight. Overlapping harmonies caught on the wind. Thee tracks make full use of Emiliegh’s styles. Cadenced whispered spoken word, rattling off piercing uplifting choirs. Bleu uses surreal background effects to give the world a sense of whimsy. These tracks all feel like dreams. A movie you watch with your eyes closed.
Bleu Favorite Track – Sliding In Socks – I love the way this song captures a private moment we all have done, but never in front of anyone. There is something beautiful of that idea both secret, and universally relatable. The keyboards have the feel of an 8 bit virtuality game you might get lost in forever. I’ve listened to this 4 times, and each one the words tell me a different story.
Trick Casket – BITCHCRAFT – I remember saying this about the band Haex, this is as much metal in my Industrial as i can handle and still love it. The Toronto band of Connor Grant, Brett Carruthers, Ryan Parker, and Nicolo Cassidy are a heavy breath of stalking invisible hell hounds chasing you down the hall. Frightening electronic horror that walks the sinister pace of inevitability. The chorus roars ferocious intention.
An unfortunate fate to conjure you An unfortunate fate to conjure you All the suffering you wanted me to Fuck that, I hope it happens to you An unfortunate fate to conjure you
Often with Metal music my hangup is the vocals where intention gets lost in the pure aggression. Trick Casket finds a subtitle delivery just on the brink of chaos. If I ever get the chance to demolish concrete walls with a sledgehammer, Trick Casket is the soundtrack to fill my heart with brimstone for the deed.
released April 2, 2024 Written and performed by: Trick Casket Music produced by: Trick Casket and Brett Carruthers Mixed & Mastered by: Brett Carruthers
“The Black Maria: a menacing 19th Century figure who would come to take away our outcasts and miscreants… later used as the slang term For UK police vans… Nothing much has change”
ATTRITION – The Black Maria – Electronic music legend Martin Bowes put out the single The Great Derailer some time ago. An instant classic utilizing vocal talents Emke of Black Nail Cabaret to paint a striking portrait of 19th century baron’s holding a mirror to modern day post capitalism. In March the full album was released from Cage Studios in his home in Coventry. There is a focus in music these days to release a constant stream of content to maintain relevance. I love the patient unraveling of this records story, as well as the controlled narrative style of it’s creation. Additional collaborators Yvette from Vaselyne, Joanne Wolf and most notably the return of original ATTRITION vocalist Julia, to create an album varying in style from industrial to gothic to dark ambient soundscapes. These drum compositions and sound effect craft create a subversive world of flickering amber lights and combustion machinery. Martin adds his own slow whiskey gravel vocals, building and chanting intensity.
Using a menagerie of symphonic sound from special guest appearances by Alia Miroshichenko (Subterranea) Annie Hogan (Marc and the Mambas etc) on Grand Piano, Vancorvid and Marietta Fox on Violins, Ian Arkley (My Silent Wake, Guillotine Dream) on Guitar, Steve Clarke (Futumche/Octogoth) on additional guitar/bass, and Kris Force on Cello. Every aspect of this album feels large and significant.
Favorite Track: The Great Derailer is the easy answer. I have reviewed the single before though. So I will talk about The Alibi – This terrifying Bioshock lullaby with tension lashing violins, and gorgeous operettic harmonies. A chaotic fever dream held together by the tempo of the rolling tracks. A wonderous example of songcraft.
This entire album is a wonderous experience that paints images and inspires higher thought. Something we are sorely in need of in the modern world. What if Tom Waits crooned and industrial record on the downfall of mankind in 2024? You don’t have to dream anymore.
Red Lokust – Hope is the Last Refuge of the Dying – Latest release from Pittsburgh’s Distortion Records guru Jim Semonik one of the truly good dudes in this scene. Things I appreciate from the starting gun “Sunfall Down” bouncy clubdustrial beats with sunken distorted vocals, in which I can hear every word ring out. Sometimes genre gets in the way of intent. Not here, lots of classic 90’s industrial homage elements but never at the expense of the lyrics and delivery. This album is bright and crackling with an explorers sci fi hope. It’s dark and snarling, but always charging forward and this underlying live wire is what makes the tracks sizzle. I didn’t link an interview to this review because somehow I have never had Jim on the show, I really need to remedy that. I kept waiting to hit my high speed industrial limit break but it never came. With breakdown tracks like Crestfallen to lay tempo change and curve to the laser car extravaganza.
SU – Amanita ocreata – So last year I fell in love with the bizarre Quebec duo that did the most amazing cover of Skinny Puppy “Smothered Hope” on the Retronomicon album to help Charles Levi. I suppose when I spooled up this new EP, I expected something vaguely in the vein of that. I LOVE being this level of delighted and surprised. To start with, the cover art is magnificent. Before I hit play I was transported to a secret Jules Verne cavern of wonder. The opening track is an operatic chorus of deep sea majesty. Then track two (The title track) completely flipped the script on everything I thought I knew about SU. A sleek alien submarine QLazzarus meets Miranda’s Sex Garden adventure soundtrack in French where I understood nothing but heard all. Song after song I felt so transported by the creativity and execution I was convinced Jean-Marc Lederman was involved somehow.
Paroles et musique par SU Enregistré et mixé par SU Pochette par Raphaëlle Lavoie
Favorite track: La fête des spores – Closing out with these toms and fairy fire vocals was captivating like the first time I heard the Sugar Cubes. Chanting underdark magic rising from spore laced smoke. The whole time I listened I felt myself lured to a cold fate, and kept following the beauty of the song.
2023 has not been a great year for me doing written reviews. No time like the present to get back on track. I continue to be surprised how people keep finding new directions to explore sounds and human experience. Hopefully this article leads you to a new favorite band to love and support. If you find something you enjoy in this article, Please share it, maybe someone else will find something to brighten their day.
Jean-Marc Lederman – Soul Music For Zombies – The brilliant Belgian composer is always finding a new way to astound me. It is as if twelve brilliant writers live inside his skull and fight for control of what the next album will be. This album travels back to the beginning, when music decided to tap into something primal and internal. A circulatory system of connection and automation. Jean-Marc has a level of talent and skill that often leaves me flabbergasted. The greatest of which is an ability to create an emotional connection without reaching. Listening to this album never feels like a production or manipulation. It’s a ticket I bought, a seat on a magical vessel of experience and sensation. As a reviewer it is a difficult task to quantify something so exceptionally crafted, that on your best day, you could never produce. To step outside your own comprehension and appreciate the journey. This might be the most powerful statement in a career I can barely scratch the surface of.
Favorite Tracks:
The Music Walks Again (The Robert Johnson Story) Featuring Emileigh Rohn – The collaboration of these brilliant producers has produced some of my favorite music of the last 5 years. Every song feels like a meaningful conversation. A compromise of ideas. A tapestry made stronger by interwoven threads. Slow rhythmic strings and a hint of distortion paving individual footfalls for the beautiful clarity of her voice. This is an old story in blues. Robert Johnson goes to the crossroads at midnight. Offers his soul in exchange for playing something truly meaningful, something to last. The short, extraordinary life of an artist. To choose an eternity of suffering for a moment of perfection.
Didn’t Your Mama Tell You How To Behave ? – Electronic blues assault with an intensity to splashes on the back of the room. A single simple idea brought into rhythmic chant to hold together a spirit induced cacophony. I dare you not to feel this.
Jean-Marc Lederman does not disappoint as a rule. This album has tapped into a devotion to music and spirit that is transcendent in it’s youthful quest that follows the heart. An outstanding addition to your collection.
MORIS BLAK – BURIAL + VOID – The Boston, Massachusetts Electronic Body Music artist has continued to evolve and gather attention from the electronic community like moths to the flame. What jumps out most from previous works is the way the tempo is held back to add weight and inertia. Each song adds a guest talent to give it a unique frequency. GenCab, Kofin, SYZYGYX, Rabbit Junk, all add a distinct seasoning to this chaos electro antimatter stew.
Favorite Track: Procession – Banger alert! Heavy waves of cadence explosion with a beautiful duet vocal that tested the boundaries of both artists. The perfect song to let go and spin out of your own reality.
This Spring catch Moris Blak out on tour with Danny Blu a live show you will not want to miss.
unitcode:machine – Undone – Dallas, Texas industrial artist newly signed to COP International with a new single/remix release. Eric is another artist I feel I have watched evolve into one of the most prolific electronica vocalists of the new wave. THREE STELLAR REMIXES BY TOP NAMES IN THE SCENE (aesthetic perfection, stabbing WESTWARD, assemblage 23) . IN THE VEIN OF SILVERWALKS LAST YEAR, THIS PROMISES TO BE ONE OF THE MOST MEMORIBLE THINGS WRITTEN THIS YEAR.
Hem Netjer – The Song Of Trees – what an amazing growth for the world beat shadowcraft band from Vancouver, British Columbia. A truly unique blend of trance tendril synths, authentic throat singing, priestess croon, and rapture. A harken back to the spiritual soul and cultural exploration of Dead Can Dance, Projekt Records. The patience and subtlety crafting stories with words are an enchantment that burns into the listener’s mind. This is a band that has tapped into something beautiful and primal and have exploded past their own ceiling.
Favorite Track: Eldur – At 5:33 this is not a catchy hook single, but nothing about Hem Netjer strives towards simplicity. They are at their best when crafting a heady and meaning brew. This track fully highlights and range and soul of Raven’s voice in perfect harmony with evergreen energy pulse.
Hem Netjer is: Raven Rissy, David Deckard and Jesse Ellytt Lyrics: Raven Rissy Composition: Raven Rissy and David Deckard Throat Singing: Jesse Ellytt
Recording at: Jacknife Sound with Jason Corbett (Actors) Music Production: Scott Fox (iVardensphere)
Beborn Beton – Darkness Falls Again – German Synthlords return from a brief respite with one of the sizzling early contenders for album of the year. A 9th album full of vibrant passion. Stefan Netschio has a distinctive voice that is drawing you towards him with every inhalation. The hooks are constructed brilliant energon cubes free of fractures. Hand to evil leather bound tomb, this is what Depeche Mode wishes they were releasing in 2023.
Favorite Track: Dancer In The Dark – Sometimes I want to pretend I am aloof and cool, not falling in love with the first single off the album. This is such an undeniable banger it would be a disservice to deny the truth in front of everyone. The beat, the lead, the vocals, everything about this song is chefs kiss perfection.
We love music because it has the power to change the energy inside us. To enhance, diminish, alter, the sounds and stories built by artists change our emotional chemistry. Emileigh Rohn (US/ Chiasm) and Jean-Marc Lederman (Belgium/ The Weathermen, Ghost & Writer) have found a balance in their own artistic chemistry beginning in 2021 Venus Chariot on COP International which has continued to refine in a centrifuge into a potent emotional catalyst. With this newest release “RAGE!” they have bottled a frantic and aerodynamic monorail careening over changing landscapes.
All tracks are: Emileigh Rohn: vocals and lyrics Jean-Marc Lederman: music and production
Except “Pets” written and composed by Perry Farrell, Stephen Perkins, Martyn LeNoble and Peter DiStefano
I would consider myself a coinsurer of the duo’s collaboration. How is RAGE! different from the previous releases? By being the culmination of a series of experiments to produce a sleeker, faster, more agile vehicle. To refine the fuel of Emileigh‘s lyrics into something that burns hotter with honesty and volatility. The songs all contain a defiance and anger. Not a heavyweight clumsy, smashing anger. A precise, defined glowing fury of purpose. The details and subtilty of the music are built like a virus in their elegance and destructive nature. The vocals hold a sharp edge without bubbling over. It adds a tension that forms the shading of the grand design.
Top Tracks: (Honorable Mention) – I’ll start with the Porno For Pyros cover which was a song I always loved and had forgotten about. This interpretation found a perfect home amongst the core concept on the album. Emileigh really captured the dark levity of Perry Farrel. I really enjoyed the rising tempo as a contrast to the underwater quaalude of the original.
This Ones My Own – I love the confrontational power here. The train is leaving the station, rising off the ground, gaining speed. There is a staggering gentle tapping baseline, a light contrast I found to be haunting. Awesome 99 Degrees Susanne Vega vibes. A winding track so smooth it never touches the ground.
March Right Through The Fire – This track marches forward with an unyielding determination. Full of pride and courage it treads through heavy water. The kind you courage you need to convince yourself to believe. The music is a constant motion machine of stabbing probes. With equal and opposite reaction. Something about the tempo and hint of snarl in the vocals has this song in my rotation.
Rohn – Lederman has once again proven they have a special connection and collaboration which is on my automatic buy list until proven otherwise.
Jean-Marc Lederman – Night music for seahorses and manatees – Legendary Belgian producer from COP International has created a new aquatic themed electronic voyage to the depths of the unknown. I don’t speak of it much but I have had a fascination with sea life that bordered on addiction. There is something about the alien danger and beauty in the unreachable ocean depths that has always captured my imagination. I love how Jean Marc has captured the constant execution of concept.
Sharks: We’re Gonna Need Bigger Slippers – Ok this song is a Jaws reference which is always a powerful nostalgic start. Where much of this album breaths with a sun filtered bright colorful contrast to Ledderman’s last few darker ideas. This song is a stalking predator of fast moving tension and deep shadowed water. A thirsty darting unease that is ever present in the sea.
Night Music for Seahorses and Manatees – The title track which encapsulates the bright alien exploration of the world within a world. An homage to both the Sealab ideals and to French electronic artist Philippe Zdar. I’m always amazed that legend though he is, Jean Marc’s humility seeks out ways to lift up others who have inspired him.
Song To The Siren (Feat: Emilegh Rohn) This team up of COP International artists Emilegh Rohn (Chiasm) and Jean Marc has turned out to be one of the most powerful and seamless collaborations of the last 3 years. Here a cover of the TimBuckely song from 1970 “Starsailor” made popular by This Mortal Coil in David Lynch“s 1997 film Lost Highway.
In 2022 many artist have managed to stay relevant through nostalgia and delivery of what has been successful for them in the past. The thing that has left me in continual awe of Jean Marc Ledderman is his ability to always explore new ground with wreckless abandon. Each new album is a fresh idea, not just for him, but for the world of music.
