Riotmiloo – Blackout (Album – Ant-Zen)
Genre/Influences: Minimal-Electro, Experimental, Industrial.
Format: Digital, Vinyl.
Background/Info: Eight years after the debut-album “La Pierre Soudée” (2015) English female artist Emilie Verbieze strikes back with her second opus featuring eight songs. “Blackout” ‘represents a retreat from her political beginnings and a move towards exploring the inner self while retaining its predecessor’s power and sense of struggle.’
Content: This work stands for pure Electronic-Minimalism which might remind you of early 80s productions exploring Electronic paths. The work reminds me a bit of Crash Course In Science for its vintage sound treatments although the atmosphere supporting the songs is more hostile and obscure. The sterile-like vocal production empowers the 80s connection.
+ + + : This is a real great work carried by the magic of solid and unique, analogue, sound treatments. It injects a refreshing touch to the work -especially for being that different with average productions in the genre. The ambiance created by Verbieze is another noticeable aspect of the work; anguishing and desperate but wonderful to listen to. Last but not least there also is a cool Industrial touch which sounds as a little extra on top of some cuts.
– – – : The very last part of the album is not as exciting -although featuring the song “Folie A Deux” which has been released as single.
Conclusion: If you don’t know Riotmiloo yet just discover this fascinating album which sounds retro-like and still a bit visionary.
Best songs: “Define Normal”, “Vile Butterflies”, “I Want To Get Out”, “Folie À Deux”.
Rate: 8.
Artist: www.riotmiloo.co.uk / www.facebook.com/Riotmiloo
Label: www.ant-zen.com / www.facebook.com/antzen.official
About Riotmiloo
Riotmiloo is the project of French-born, London-based artist Emilie Verbieze, who relocated to London in 2002. Before Riotmiloo she played in the bands 3 Ant Riot and Venom Seeds, gradually shifting toward a more electronic and industrial sound.
Riotmiloo’s debut album, “La Pierre Soudée,” arrived in 2015 with a list of guest vocalists including Dirk Ivens, Chrysalide and ESA. The follow-up, “Blackout,” reviewed here, was released by the end of 2023 via Ant-Zen. Verbieze made the album with Eva|3 on analogue synthesizers, aiming for a more intimate and suffocating sound than its predecessor.
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