Rosi – Grey City Life (CD Album – Cold Transmission Music)
Genre/Influences: Cold-wave, gothic.
Background/Info: Sven Rosenkötter and Mirco Rappsilber set up Rosi in 2014. A first album “Grey City Life” was self-released on vinyl back in 2016 and followed by another self-released full length “Hope” in 2018. In the meantime they signed a deal with Cold Transmission Music, which now has re-released the debut album as CD format featuring extra songs and remixes.
Content: This German formation perfectly matches with the sound of the Cold Transmission roster. Some of the tracks remind me a bit of Bauhaus. The tracks are driven by slow rhythms and supported by a spooky production with dominant atmospheres. The songs have been written by guitar and accomplished by electronic treatments. The songs have been sung in English, but you’ll also find a track sing in German.
Next to the 11 original songs from the album the CD brings you 6 bonus cuts featuring 4 remixes and 2 previously unreleased tracks.
+ + + : The power is hiding in the overwhelming dark, atmospheric part of the work. “Grey City Life” is more an album to listen to instead of a danceable production. It’s dark, depressed and even disturbing. These feelings are perfectly accentuated in one of the choruses ‘everybody has to die’ (taken from “Jeder”). Among the remixes I heard a great job done by Kiss Of The Whip and Run. The remix by Run has something old-school like and reminds me a bit of Fad Gadget. I also have to mention the previously unreleased song “Körper” feat. Joana, which is different from the rest of the album, but a real beautiful cut.
– – – : Rosi clearly has a personal approach, which is not always the most accessible one. It’s original, but not the stereotypical production in the genre… although I think that’s a rather positive aspect.
Conclusion: “Grey City Life” is an album you need to hear a few times before really getting into it, but there’s a personal sound identity making this band different from the rest.
Best songs: “Jeder”, “Schlaf feat. Joana & Tkalec”, “Körper feat. Joanna”, “Film”, “Verloren – Kiss Of The Whip Remix”.
Rate: (7½).
Artist: www.facebook.com/rosi.info
Label: www.facebook.com/coldtransmissionmusic
About Rosi
Rosi is the German duo of Sven Rosenkotter and Mirco Rappsilber, formed in 2014. The pair self-released “Grey City Life” on vinyl in 2016, followed by a second self-released album, “Hope”, in 2018, before signing to Cold Transmission Music, which issued this CD edition of the debut with extra songs and remixes. The label’s “Zeitgeist Vol. 8” compilation named Rosi among its best entries the same year.
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