Motylki – Chrysalis (Digital/Vinyl Album – Novoton)
Motylki is a Swedish music project that originally began as a duo and later evolved into a trio. “Chrysalis” is their debut album, shaped by themes such as burnout, separation, and loss.
The album features just eight tracks, opening with a song that slightly recalls The Birthday Massacre. The initial Goth-Rock vibe quickly gives way to a hard-hitting, furious production where diverse influences and styles collide, culminating in a unique and explosive sound. Industrial, Post-Punk, and even Shoegaze elements are woven throughout, but it’s the breathtaking, soaring choruses that truly elevate the record to something sublime. It’s a relentless sonic journey, further enriched by the powerful interplay of male and female vocals, adding both volume and emotional depth.
Apart from the quiet, instrumental, Shoegaze-driven closing song, this album stands as an absolute revelation and sensation. In my opinion, this band has everything it takes to become something truly great. (Rating:8½).
Listen to “Pour Me Out”:
About Motylki
Motylki is a Swedish band formed by Anti Zurowski (also known from Nova Blast and Happy Hour) and Tess de la Cour (also of Snake and Memoria), who met through a mutual friend. Zurowski writes and sings, with de la Cour on vocals and bass. The pair later added drummer Markus to complete the trio. The band’s name means “butterflies” in Polish.
“Chrysalis”, released on the Swedish label Novoton, is the group’s debut album. Vocals, bass, and guitar were recorded in Tess de la Cour’s kitchen, with the rest of the record tracked over two days at the studio The Dustward with producer Stefan Bränström. In a Side-Line interview, Anti Zurowski described the writing process and the album’s themes of grief and mental health in more detail.
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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.
