Ashes’N’Android – Razors Edge (Album – darkTunes Music Group)
Genre/Influences: Electro-pop, indie-pop.
Format: Digital, CD.
Background/Info: Ashes’N’Android is a new German project driven by Jörn Marquardt. The debut album “Razors Edge” was released early 2020 featuring eleven songs.
Content: The album takes off with a short track, kind of intro while the real first song reveals a techno-pop driven style featuring male- and female vocals. The more you walk through “Razors Edge” the more it becomes inspired by electro-pop music, which sometimes reminds me of Ashbury Heights. There also is an indie touch running through some songs while other cuts are more into ‘classic’ electro-pop. The last song is a remix by Toal.
+ + + : This debut full length is a real nice surprise; this is not just classic electro-pop music –although one of the best cuts (cf. “Can’t Count On You”) has something pretty Depeche Mode-like, but an original and elaborated production with some extra influences on top. The male-/female vocal duo is also an exciting aspect of the work revealing two complementary singers. I already mentioned the excellent “Can’t Count On You”, but I also recommend “Versuching” feat. Neoklin, which has something overwhelming and the more indie-orientated title song. In a more technoid approach “When You Were All Mine” probably is one of the most original tracks.
– – – : I sometimes get the feeling Ashes’N’Android is still in search of their own style; they’re mixing different elements together, which creates variety, but not always a real compact result.
Conclusion: This album reveals a true potential and is a successful debut. Some aspects can be improved, but this album is a solid basis to move on with. Let’s keep this name in mind!
Best songs: “Can’t Count On You”, “Versuching”, “When You Were All Mine”, “Razors Edge”.
Rate: (7½).
Artist: www.facebook.com/pg/ashesandandroid
Label: www.darktunes.com / www.facebook.com/darkTunesMusic
About Ashes’N’Android
Ashes’N’Android is a German synthpop and electro project fronted by Jörn Marquardt, signed to darkTunes Music Group. The project’s earliest recorded appearance was a track on the label’s “Gothic Music Orgy, Vol. 4” compilation in 2017, ahead of the 2020 debut album “Razors Edge”. Ashes’N’Android went on to contribute to the “Face The Beat” compilation series, appearing on “Session 6” (2020) and “Session 7” (2022), and to the 2021 “Hard Pop Vol. 1” collection.
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