Dekad – A Distorted View (Digital/CD Album – BOREDOMproduct)
This is already the sixth album from the French act Dekad. We had to wait another four years for “A Distorted View”, but fortunately the excellent predecessor “Nowhere Lines” (2022) remained fresh in our memories.
Operator JB Lacassagne has prepared ten new tracks for us, preceded by the single “I Should Have”. The album offers a diverse selection of material: on the one hand, harder, darker, and highly danceable songs infused with clear EBM elements, interwoven with the characteristic beeps and sequencer patterns so typical of the French Boredom label; on the other hand, quieter, more ethereal, and even ballad-oriented Electro-Pop compositions. Throughout the album, these contrasting elements are held together by a strong foundation of melodic Pop sensibilities. The first half of the album is simply outstanding. Despite the wide range of influences and styles, one excellent track follows another. From menacing atmospheres and aggressive sequences filled with dark sonic manipulations to soft, dreamy passages enhanced by refined arrangements, Dekad seems capable of turning everything he touches into gold. The closing tracks lose a little of the momentum established earlier on. They are by no means weak, but they do feel somewhat less inspired compared to the album’s strongest moments.
From a technical and production standpoint, this may well be Dekad’s finest album to date, although I still have a particular fondness for its predecessor. Either way, “A Distorted View” is an essential listen and a welcome highlight within today’s often rather predictable Electro-Pop landscape. (Rating:8).
Listen to “Adrenaline”:
https://boredomproduct.bandcamp.com/track/adrenaline
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.
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