Genre/Influences: Electro-wave, wave-pop.

Format: Digital, vinyl.

Background/Info: “Isola” is the second full length album from the Turkish duo Art Diktator. The album has been released in vinyl format by Prof Sny Records while the digital version is available by Fitness Productions. This album comes seven years after their debut album “Ultimo Disco Inferno” (2012).

Content: “Isola” brings us back in time, getting back to the years of pure synth-music! The songs are touched by a retro touch, which is mainly running in the constant melodic sequences and choruses. The production of the vocals is sounding like growls, sometimes a bit gothic-like. You’ll also notice some female backing parts. One of the last songs, “Van Gölü Canavarı” has something more clubby-like while the most surprising and funny cut is “Moskau” (originally written by Ralph Siegel), which is an adaptation of a familiar Russian-like folk song.

+ + + : The retro aspect of the work is absolutely enlightening. Art Diktator are great melody makers, but I also like the way they’re mixing different genres together. Definitely 80s-like, but still into electro-pop and with some gothic-like vocals on top, this album has the strength to catch a wider recognition. “Van Gölü Canavarı” is an excellent song to conquer the dancefloors. I think the vinyl format is totally appropriated for the band’s approach.

– – – : The melodies are a little bit repetitive after a while and that’s also because Art Diktator seems to use the same gear and sounds.

Conclusion: I wasn’t familiar with this duo, but “Isola” is for sure an enjoyable experience I highly recommend to lovers of vintage electronics.

Best songs: “Van Gölü Canavarı”, “Fulci Lives”, “Sen Ve Ben”.

Rate: (7½). 

Artist: www.facebook.com/artdiktatorfanpage

Label: www.profs.cz / www.facebook.com/profsny

Inferno Sound Diaries

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.

www.side-line.com