The French label Unknown Pleasures Records, run by Pedro Peñas y Roble aka HIV+, stops its activities this summer. They are currently emptying their last stocks before closing for good. The label which started in 2013 was based in the south of France was dedicated to the production of material from the post-punk, minimal wave and EBM scene. Their final release is a Tribute to Death In June.

In the past the label has released albums of bands like Norma Loy, David Carretta, Blind Delon, Adan & Ilse, Hausfrau, Black Egg, European Ghost, Ono Scream, Antipole, Kill Shelter, Vogue Noir, Ohota, Wendy Bevan, Alek Drive, Art Kinder Industrie, Baroque, Maman Küsters, Japan Suicide, Follow Me Not, Der Himmel über Berlin, Dave Inox, Mr Nô, None, Velvet Kills, Selfishadows, Container 47, The Shyness Of Strangers, Secret Sight, La Main, Fluxus, Grand((Ø))Signal, Neon Electronics, Hardlab, Judith Juillerat, Monolog and Love In Prague.

The label has also worked and collaborated with several musicians such as Alan Vega, Gabi Delgado, Dirk Da Davo, Eric Van Wonterghem, Jurgen Engler, Richard 23, Patrick Codenys, Marc Hurtado, Arturo Lanz, The Hacker, Dirk Ivens, The Horrorist, Haujobb, Position Parallèle, John Lord Fonda, Dominique Nicolas, Marc Collin, Michaël Theis, Radical G, Növö, Millimetric, In Death It Ends, In Aeternam Vale, Sonic Area, Adriano Canzian, Alice Botte, Versari and many more.

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. Besides music I’m also an SEO and AI content flow specialist and have an interest in everything finance from stocks to crypto. There is music in everything!

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Genre/Influences: Cold-wave, rock-wave.

Background/Info: Secret Sight is an Italian trio. They released their debut album (cf. “Day.Night.Life”) now three years ago. This second opus has been released as CD format on Unknown Pleasures Records and as vinyl on Manic Depression Records.

Content: “Shared Loneliness” will appeal for lovers of cold-wave and dark-rock music. The music is clearly inspired and driven by 80s influences and sometimes reminds me to New Model Army. It’s not the typical and ‘pure’ cold-wave style, but a mix between several influences, injecting some rock elements as well.

+ + + : The guitar playing is not only an important and probably most essential element of this work; it also reveals a talented guitarist. There are a few beautiful songs featured and I especially want to mention “Flowers” and “Over”. I also have to mention “Fallen” for its great chorus and the cover version of “The Fire” originally written by The Sound. This song is a great apotheosis.

– – – : “Shared Loneliness” is a beautiful production, but I rapidly get the impression I’ve already heard this kind of music a thousand times before. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed the listening and recommend the album, but if I’d to choose I definitely would play an album from an 80s band instead of Secret Sight.

Conclusion: If you like the dark tones of new-wave music mixed with some extra elements related to rock music, Secret Sight will be your guest for ten songs of entertainment and dark reverie.

Best songs: “Flowers”, “Over”, “The Fire”, “Swan’s Smile”.

Rate: (7).

Band: www.facebook.com/secretsight

Label: www.unknown–pleasures–records.com /  www.facebook.com/Unknown–Pleasures–Records-566180440115465

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.

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