Genre/Influences: Synth-pop, wave-pop.
Background/Info: State Of The Nation is a new Swedish formation featuring Erotic Elk members Tomas Gustafsson and Fredrik Sigeback plus Johan Siegeback (brother of Fredrik). After some successful Erotic Elk releases I was really wondering about this new formation, which is pop-minded as well. This EP features the title song plus 7 remixes and a B-side cut.
Content: “Departed” is a sweet and enjoyable pop song with vintage elements on top, which mainly remind me of New Order (especially for the bass line).
The remixes are really diversified moving from groovy, dance parts to great 80s inspiration. If you’re more into the ‘original’ song you for sure will notice the vintage touch in remix by Lackan and the one by Val Solo.
The B-side song sounds like a pure cinematographic experience and the kind of song that is the perfect filler for an EP.
+ + + : One single song and a B-side cut are not that enough to get a real idea about this band’s potential although I have to admit that the title song is a well-crafted composition that will appeal for all lovers of New Order, Erasure and related formations. The vocals totally fit to this kind of music.
– – – : I can understand that they tried to put some diversity in the choice of the remixers, but the groovy, technoid cuts are simply forgettable.
Conclusion: State Of The Nation evokes some cool souvenirs getting us back to the early magic of electro-wave and wave-pop music. It sounds fresh and happy-minded.
Best songs: “Departed – Radio Edit”, “Departed – Lackan ‘Mid-Eighties Remix”, “Departed – Val Solo Hybrid Duet Version”.
Rate: (6½).
