Forever Grey – Departed (Album – Young And Cold Records)
Genre/Influences: Cold-wave, dark-wave.
Format: Digital, Vinyl.
Background/Info: “Departed” is the third full length album for the American male-female duo Forever Grey. It also is their first album released on Young And Cold Records.
Content: I can’t remember to have heard this formation before, but from the very first notes you can hear what inspires this band. “Departed” sounds as a total move back to the 80s post-punk movements of dark/cold-wave music. Most of the arrangements remind me of The Cure. The songs sound simple, but efficient; driven by extremely low resonating bass lines, guitar and electronic arrangements. The vocals have something grave while there are also a few female backings.
+ + + : I’m a nostalgic when it comes to this kind of music; everything sounds in the purest 80s spirit and Forever Grey emulate this typical mood with devotion. They remind me of The Cure without being a cheap emulation. It’s just a source of inspiration they transposed into a personal sound. I like the harmony between the different sound layers, but I must say the vibrating bass lines have something magic while the electronic arrangements inject something extra and sometimes elevating to the work.
– – – : I regret there are no more female backings featured; that’s probably why “Lost In A Moment” is my favorite cut for the sterile, misty female backings. Globally speaking the songs are pretty similar so a little diversity would be a bonus.
Conclusion: Forever Grey is the kind of formation bringing me back to the magical darkness of the post-punk years.
Best songs: “Lost In A Moment”, “Alone”, “Downpour”.
Rate: (7½).
Artist: www.facebook.com/forevergreysourland
Label: https://youngandcold.de /
www.facebook.com/youngandcoldrecords
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