Cubic – Alphabet Hymn (EP – Alfa Matrix)
Genre/Influences: Electro-Pop.
Format: Digital.
Background/Info: Cubic is a Belgian solo-project driven by Franky Deblomme. EBM freaks will remind him as the frontman of Darkmen. “Alphabet Hymn” is the first work released by Cubic on Alfa Matrix. There’s a kind of concept about the alphabet.
Content: Cubic rapidly reminds me of Metroland and 808 Dot Pop. It’s not a coincidence Franky Deblomme has remixed the entire 808 Dot Pop debut album into the so-called “Cubic Temperature”. There’s a similar approach in the ‘robotic-pop’ featuring computer spoken vocals and a Kraftwerk-ish styled composition. The work features 5 songs –including a remix by 808 Dot Pop while the other versions are pretty diversified.
+ + + : Cubic has something special; it’s not just a copy of Metroland and 808 Dot Pop, but a more diversified composition, which is also getting back to some EBM roots (cf. “X – Edit”) and Techno (cf. “F – French Mix”). The last mentioned cut is a pure sonic jewel; the fusion of Kraftwerk inspired Electro-Pop together with Techno vibes. The tracks are carried by impressive bass lines, which is another great element of the work. Last, but not least 808 Dot Pop did a great remix of “F”.
– – – : The ‘robotic-pop’ army has been joined by one new adherent so in the end Cubic is not really innovating although still taking me by surprise.
Conclusion: Cubic clearly sounds as a project with a huge potential and this EP is a solid teaser to await the album.
Best songs: “F –French Mix”, “F – 808 Dot Mix”, “Alphabet Hymn – Edit”.
Rate: (8).
Artist: www.facebook.com/franky.deblomme.3
Label: www.alfa-matrix.com / www.facebook.com/Alfa.Matrix Read the news on ‘Alphabet Hymn’.
About Cubic
Cubic is the solo project of Belgian musician Franky Deblomme, previously the frontman of EBM act Darkmen, self-released via his own BONG13RECORDS imprint before signing to Alfa Matrix. Discogs lists the self-released “Cuboids EP” (2020) as Cubic’s first release, followed by “Alphabet Hymn” and the single “E” in 2021.
Cubic’s debut album, “The Cubic Alphabet”, followed in June 2021, and Deblomme discussed the project’s direction in an October 2021 Click Interview.
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I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.
