Nøir – Fallen (EP – Metropolis Records)

Genre/Influences: Electro-Pop, Minimal-Pop.
Format: Digital.
Background/Info: The new EP byNøir is dedicated to Dave Hechman -Metropolis Records owner who passed away last year. Athan Maroulis got a helping hand from Erik Gustafson who produced the songs.
Content: “Fallen” is a danceable piece of Electronic-Wave/Pop mixing subtle sound arrangements and the deep, charismatic voice of Maroulis. The track has been remixed into vintage sound treatments by Paradox Obscur but also by Silver Walks. There’s also a ‘female’-edit featuring Kai Irina Hahn (The Sedona Effect). Next comes a cool B-side track plus a surprising, acoustic, cover version of Psychedelic Furs’ “Love My Way”.
+ + + : “Fallen” is a great song and the right title track for an EP. It’s a well-crafted piece of electronics empowered by guitar play and the unique singing of Athan Maroulis. Among the remixes I like to mention the old-school version of Paradox Obscur and the “Femme Mix” with female vocals. The cover version of “Love My Way” is clearly reminds me of the original version but it also has a minimal, graceful, touch reminding me of Thomas Dolby.
– – – : I can’t really say the remixes of “Fallen” are adding a real bonus to the original song.
Conclusion: “Fallen” is for sure my favorite Nøir-song and I can only hope we’ll get more stuff like this soon.
Best songs: “Fallen”, “Fallen – Paradox Obscur Remix”, “Love My Way – Acoustic”.
Rate: 8.
Artist: www.facebook.com/NOIRmetropolis
Label: www.metropolis-records.com / www.facebook.com/MetropolisRecords Read the news on ‘Fallen’.
About Nøir
Nøir is a revolving-lineup project conceived and fronted by vocalist Athan Maroulis, also known for his work with Spahn Ranch and Black Tape for a Blue Girl. The project released its debut album, “Darkly Near”, in 2013 on Metropolis Records, featuring Maroulis alongside Jamie Parganos and Kai Irina Hahn. Contributors over the years have included guitarist/producer Erik Gustafson, cellist Rebekah Feng and keyboardists Daniel McCullough, Dave Borsky and David Budet. Nøir’s remix output was compiled on 2024’s “The Best of the Remixes”. The “Fallen” EP followed in 2023, produced by Erik Gustafson and dedicated to the late Metropolis Records co-founder Dave Heckman.

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.
Since you’re here …
… we have a small favour to ask. More people are reading Side-Line Magazine than ever but advertising revenues across the media are falling fast. Unlike many news organisations, we haven’t put up a paywall – we want to keep our journalism as open as we can - and we refuse to add annoying advertising. So you can see why we need to ask for your help.
Side-Line’s independent journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. But we do it because we want to push the artists we like and who are equally fighting to survive.
If everyone who reads our reporting, who likes it, helps fund it, our future would be much more secure. For as little as 5 US$, you can support Side-Line Magazine – and it only takes a minute. Thank you.
The donations are safely powered by Paypal.

