Red Mecca – I Will Be That Dying Star In Your Sky (Digital/Vinyl Album – Massproduktion)
Susanne Jonsson and Jan Strandqvist of the Swedish band Red Mecca have returned after a hiatus. Their time away, however, was marked by intense and deeply painful experiences: Susanne’s sister was murdered and her relationship fell apart, while Jan struggled with addiction. Sometimes, nothing seems better than returning to creative expression—in their case, by making a new album.
This record clearly holds great significance for them, even though the music remains true to Red Mecca’s signature sound and style. It is a polished album, balancing understated, sensitive, and refined tracks with a somewhat ‘harder’ Synth-Pop style. The songs are expertly crafted and beautifully sung by Susanne Jonsson, a vocalist who has nothing left to prove. Personally, I prefer their Electro-Pop style—which occasionally hints at EBM elements—as it really showcases their talent for creating great music. While some tracks may lack a definitive climax, I believe the choice to create a more restrained work was deliberate.
This may not be my favorite album by the duo, but it stands as a significant and healing production in their career. (Rating:7½).
Listen to “I’m On The Outside”:
https://redmekka.bandcamp.com/track/im-on-the-outside
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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.
