Descendeur – Shoker Necklage (Vinyl 10” – Warm Records)
Genre/Influences: Minimal-electronics, experimental.
Background/Info: Descendeur is a French music project set up by Arno Bruil (who’s also involved with France Sauvage and Femmes). “Shoker Necklage” is inspired by some famous serial killers and among them there’s also a female.
Content: This 10” features 5 pieces, which are pretty similar to each other and even creating the impression to hear one single, long duration cut. The songs are characterized by a retro approach reminding me of early electronic experiments during the 80s. The sequences have something nervous, creating a disturbing atmosphere, which is accentuated by numerous spoken samples (from serial killers).
+ + + : I especially enjoyed the minimalism and retro-sound approach of this work. The electronic experiment also creates a tormented and anguishing atmosphere, which is clearly emerging from all the cuts. The three songs from the B-side have something more industrial-like in the sound treatments, which empower the coldness of the work.
– – – : I can’t say there’s a real apotheosis, but I definitely hope to hear more work from Descendeur.
Conclusion: If you’re into old-school electronics, Descendeur might be your cup of tea. This is an interesting debut.
Best songs: “Sex Workers”, “Body Odour”, “Grand Finale”.
Rate: (7).
Artist: www.facebook.com/lagrippa.fest
Label: www.warm–ed.fr / www.facebook.com/warm.editions
About Descendeur
Descendeur is a French project set up by Arno Bruil, who is also involved with France Sauvage and Femmes. “Shoker Necklage” is the project’s debut release, built around spoken samples drawn from real-life serial killer cases.
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