Code 64 – Broken Rhythm (Album – Code 64)
Genre/Influences: Electro-Pop.
Format: Digital, CD.
Background/Info: Swedish duo Christian Espeland – Henrik Pihl is back with a new album of Code 64. Set up in 2000 the band gained recognition releasing noticeable productions on Memento Materia and Progress Productions. After a few silent years, Code 64 strikes back with this new and self-released album.
Content: You no longer can compare “Broken Rhythm” to the early works of the band. The sound remains driven by Electro-Pop featuring vintage sound treatments but globally speaking it all sounds more mature; less danceable and definitely more refined. I however noticed danceable passages carried by solid bass lines and a kind of groovy Pop style.
+ + + : I can’t say that Code 64 have reinvent themselves but the songwriting became more mature and professional. I like the production of the vocals but also the refreshing approach of the songwriting. I enjoyed the groovy side creating a late summer feeling. “Emotional Content” is my personal favorite.
– – – : I’ve to admit I’m sometimes missing the catchy, danceable side from the early works.
Conclusion: Not a bite-sized Electro-Pop album like Code 64 used to compose in the early years, but now a well-crafted and with a more personal result.
Best songs: “Emotional Content”, “The Void”, “Deceiver”.
Rate: 7½.
Artist: www.code64.com / www.facebook.com/code64music Read the news on ‘Broken Rhythm’.
Listen to “Broken Rhythm”:
About Code 64
Code 64 is a synthpop, darkwave, electronica band that signed with the small Norwegian record label “Angel Productions” only three years after establishing themselves as a group. They released their first album “Storm” in 2003, which contained nine original tracks.
Following this release they continued to work, releasing “Departure” in 2006 on the new label Memento Materia. Code 64’s sophomore album saw US distribution for North America in 2005, when the band signed a multi release licensing deal with A Different Drum. “Departure” was re-released as a 2 CD this time with as bonus disc the “Sea of Stars” single featuring remixes and an exclusive b-side.
Shortly after the release, Henrik Piehl left the band due to musical disagreements. He was replaced by Bjørn Marius Borg and in 2010 the band released its third studio album, “Trialogue”. On July 23, 2013, Code 64 announced that Christian had left the band and the project was disbanded; Hasse Mattsson and Bjørn Marius Borg then reemerged as the duo Xenturion Prime. Christian Espeland and original singer Henrik Pihl later revived Code 64 as a duo, self-releasing the album “Broken Rhythm” in November 2022.
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