Paradox Obscur – Artifact (Vinyl Album – Young & Cold Records)
Genre/Influences: Minimal-electronics, electro-wave.
Background/Info: Greek duo Kriistal Ann – Toxic Razor is back on track unleashing their third album. “Artifact” is available as vinyl format and on digital platforms.
Content: The work moves on with similar influences revealed on previous recordings. The inspiration brings us clearly back to the 80s electronic experiments in early EBM and electro-wave. It’s pure vintage electro featuring the magic and dry sound of old rhythm boxes and the minimalism reminding me of artists such as Chris & Cosey and early Fad Gadget. The cold and emblematic timbre of voice from Kriistal Ann is one of the band’s main characteristics.
+ + + : If you’re into vintage electronics, this is an album you definitely have to discover. There’s the magic of good-old analogue equipment, which also is one of the trademarks of Toxic Razor (active with different elector projects). The sound is minimalistic, icy and totally fitting with the cold vocals of Kriistal Ann. She definitely remains one of my favorite contemporary singers for this kind of music. The male backing vocals bring a nice bonus.
– – – : The final cuts of the album can’t totally convince me. This was the right place for an apotheosis, which unfortunately is missing.
Conclusion: Paradox Obscur feels a bit like the Anubis of electronic minimalism; the guardian opening the gate from contemporary electronics towards the 80s electro ancestors.
Best songs: “Afterlife Effect”, “Enhancer”, “Ashes”, “Desert Of Distress”, “Twilight”.
Rate: (7½).
Artist: www.facebook.com/paradoxobscur
Label: https://youngandcold.de / www.facebook.com/youngandcoldrecords
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