Genre/Influences: Electro-Pop, Cinematic-Pop, Dark-Pop.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Hungarian duo Emese Arvai-Illes – Krisztian Arvai strike back with a very special opus. The band name has been adapted into BlackNail Cabaret because of the addition of extra-members and friends Tamás Számvéber (guitar), Márton Barják (saxophone) and Péter Laskay (drums). Black Nail Cabaret has been active for fifteen years and previously released five albums. “Woodland Memoirs” is an adaptation of eleven songs taken from these full lengths.

Content: The sound and songs remain recognizable although totally different. The saxophone play injects something unique, creating a dark and sometimes jazzy atmosphere which would perfectly fit to a ‘film noir’. Some songs even become darker and rawer with Emese’s sensual, and commanding, timbre of voice on top. It’s an opportunity to re-discover Black Nail Cabaret ‘classics’ but in a very different style.  

+ + + : This album took me by surprise and it really sounds like a true tour de force but also a challenge to rework your very own songs this way. More original than asking other artists for remixes and definitely more demanding in terms of time this album reveals another side of the band. The saxophone creates a very own spirit which is recovering the work from start till end. It’s a styled production with a very intimate feeling. I like darker passages and especially “Dora” sounds sublime. There’s also something to say about “No Gold” featuring a perfect balance between all instruments. “Sister Sister” appears to be the ultimate cut to get featured for a ‘film noir’. Black Nail Cabaret is doing their very own thing while on top of the creative process there still is this very singular voice of dark-diva Emese.

– – – : I’m sometimes missing the ‘alternative’ touch of the original songs and I definitely prefer the original versions but Black Nail Cabaret has done something special.

Conclusion: Black Nail Cabaret remains a very single formation in a genre which is hardly comparable to established standards; call it ‘free-pop’.

Best songs: “Dora”, “No Gold”, “Sister Sister”, “My Casual God”, “Rhythm X”.

Rate: 8.

Artist: www.blacknailcabaret.com / www.facebook.com/bncband

Label: www.dependent.de / www.facebook.com/dependent.records

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Darkwave duo Black Nail Cabaret, consisting of Emèse Árvai-Illes and Krisztián Árvai, has released a lyric video for “Sister Sister,” the first single from their upcoming experimental album “Woodlands Memoirs,” which will be available through Dependent Records. Collaborating with three fellow musicians (Tamás Számvéber, Márton Barják, Péter Laskay) under the moniker Black Nail Cabaret And Friends, the Hungarian pair has crafted a unique, one-time project that diverges from their typical avant-garde synth-pop style by transforming their own songs into cover versions.

The lyric video for “Sister Sister” can be viewed below.

Regarding the single, vocalist Emèse Árvai-Illes commented that “Sister Sister” has long been a favorite from their “Dichromat” album. The original track, with its cold wave vibe, has been transformed into a sound reminiscent of a “Twin Peaks” score, representing the band’s goal of covering their own songs.

In total Black Nail Cabaret selected eleven tracks from their previous releases and reimagined them by incorporating guitars, drums, and saxophone through a semi-live recording process that allowed for improvisation. To emphasize the organic nature of their own ‘cover versions,’ the band included footage shot in the pine woods of the Agostyán Arboretum in Hungary.

About Black Nail Cabaret

Black Nail Cabaret is a darkwave and electronic duo hailing from Hungary. Formed in 2008, the group consists of Emese “Emke” Arvai-Illes as the vocalist and Krisztian “Sophia” Arvai as the keyboardist and composer. Their music is characterized by a fusion of dark electronic soundscapes, haunting vocals, and a strong emphasis on storytelling through lyrics, with influences ranging from Depeche Mode to David Bowie.

The band began gaining traction with their debut EP, “Emerald City,” released in 2012. It showcased their ability to craft atmospheric, synth-driven tracks with a dark edge. The duo continued to build their sound with the release of their first full-length album, “Dichromat,” in 2013. This album featured a more polished and cohesive sound, highlighting their growth as musicians.

Black Nail Cabaret’s subsequent releases, including “Harry Me, Marry Me, Bury Me, Bite Me” (2015) and “Dioskouroi” (2017), further established their reputation as a force within the darkwave and electronic scene.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil.

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