Starsign – Silver Linings (Digital/CD Album – Infacted Recordings)
Starsign emerged in the 1990s and was driven by the German duo Oliver Teßmer and Matthias Blechschmidt. At the time, they released several EPs, along with an album that appeared in 2003. After that, things went quiet for more than two decades, but the duo revived the project a few years ago. Following several high-profile singles, they released “Silver Linings” earlier this year, featuring 10 tracks.
The influences running through “Silver Linings” are quite diverse, yet they fit perfectly within the Electro-Pop genre. The songs move between quiet, floating pieces on the one hand and more danceable tracks on the other. Depeche Mode can occasionally be felt lurking around the corner, while other tracks seem inspired by Mesh. However, Starsign is by no means a copycat; rather, they have managed to blend these diverse elements into a smooth and enjoyable whole. Some songs are beautifully crafted and reveal subtle details in the production. Personally, I prefer their ‘heavier’ tracks, and although I do miss an undeniable standout hit on the album, “Silver Linings” still has a great deal to offer. (Rating:8).
Listen to “Shiver”:
About Starsign
Starsign is a German electro-pop duo formed in the 1990s by Oliver Teßmer and Matthias Blechschmidt. The project released a series of EPs and a 2003 album before a hiatus of more than two decades. The duo later revived Starsign, and “Silver Linings” (2026) is a ten-track album issued through Infacted Recordings.
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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.
