The Brussels-based Spleen+ label (a division of Alfa Matrix) has prepared a deluxe 7CD collector’s edition – “Resurgence” – which brings together 133 active bands from across the globe, spanning the diverse sub-genres born from post-punk’s iconic roots. You can order it now from the Alfa Matrix webstore and in digital download format from Bandcamp.

The release comes housed in a luxurious vinyl-sized box, and comes accompanied by a 28-page book. The book holds interviews from renowned producers like John Fryer and Jean-Marc Lederman, label managers, journalists, and iconic artists (including Red Lorry Yellow Lorry, William Faith, No More, Skeletal Family, Mona Mur, KaS Product, And Also The Trees, Clan Of Xymox, Attrition, Das Ich, Merciful Nuns, The Names, The Breath Of Life, etc).

Spanning 23 different nationalities, the music included is a genre-spanning mix of post-punk, cold wave, dark synth, ethereal, and minimal EBM with such bands like Boy Harsher, A Cloud Of Ravens, No More, Skeletal Family, Collection D’Arnell Andrea, Underviewer, Attrition, Merciful Nuns, Lederman/De Meyer, Local Suicide & Sekelesys, Star Industry, Ataraxia, Czarina, Helalyn Flowers, Ascii.Disko, Je T’Aime, The Ultimate Dreamers, Lycia, Opera Multi Steel, The Breath Of Life, Auger, The Names, Whispers In The Shadow, Lovelorn Dolls, Astari Nite, Chiasm, Saigon Blue Rain, Omnimar, Still Patient, Creux Lies, Golden Apes, and many more.

You can already check out a few tracks here.

Apart from the 7CD vinyl size deluxe carton box format, “Resurgence” will not be available on mainstream digital platforms, except exclusively via the label’s Bandcamp page.

There is also a special combi pack including the 7CD set plus Darkness On Demand’s “Panic In Reserve” CD and To Avoid’s “All Gods Are Gone” 2CD.

“Resurgence” Tracklist

Cd 1

1. Bestial Mouths . Hex (The Spell)
2. A Cloud Of Ravens . Parable
3. Boy Harsher . Give Me A Reason
4. Czarina . Wonderland
5. Collection D’arnell Andrea . Waiting For Meaulnes
6. Krystal System . La Lame Dans Ta Main
7. Je T’aime . Out Of Sight
8. Aeon Rings . Fully Operational
9. The Ultimate Dreamers . Polarized
10. Partikul . Nothing Good In Me
11. Cosmobrigade . Spacepit
12. Aeon Sable . From Witchcraft To Deviltry
13. Stereoskop . Deep Down
14. The Breath Of Life . Slowly Crushing
15. Faust Project . Rats Lullaby
16. Al . Mistake
17. N.E.L. & J.P . Desinteresse
18. Zeitgeist Zero . Scream
19. Voyna . Moulding Heart

Cd 2

1. Blackbook . You Are Strange
2. Auger . My Heart Is Glass
3. Dekad . A Deadly Show (Video Edit)
4. Love In Cage . A Logical Secret Collection
5. Helalyn Flowers . Halos
6. Soft Scent . No Wounds
7. Sweet Ermengarde . Sweet Sacrifice
8. Martin Dupont . Bent At The Window (2023)
9. The Names . Far From The Factories
10. Boxes Of Blow . Melting Faces
11. Mirror Of Haze Feat. Primitive Heart . Reckless
12. A Slice Of Life . Seven Days
13. Then Comes Silence . Pretty Creatures
14. Nite . Inside Of My Head
15. Astari Nite . Bowie In Daydreams
16. Korus . Złote Światło Pierwszego Zachodu
17. Lovelorn Dolls . A Heart Cries
18. Whispers In The Shadow . Revenants
19. Merciful Nuns . Oneironauts

Cd 3

1. Lederman – De Meyer . Heartbeat
2. Local Suicide & Skelesys . Surface Of The Sun (Radio Edit)
3. Punx Soundcheck Feat. Ascii.Disko & Princess Superstar . Gasoline
4. No More . Sleepers And Trains
5. Mitra Mitra . Memories For Company
6. A Copy For Collapse Feat. Simona Pietrucci . Faded
7. Alien Skin . Depress Me
8. White Mansion . Cancel The Sky
9. Apnoie . Splash Your Bile
10. Celluloide . Compte Les Ombres
11. Risk Risk . Streetwalk
12. Total Chroma . Northern Lights
13. Opera Multi Steel . À Nos Moments Perdus
14. Lycia . Simpler Times
15. Noemi Aurora . Blood As Lipstick
16. Novus . Ess
17. I Ya Toyah . Death’s Kiss
18. Katcross . Rest
19. Winter Severity Index . Speak To Me

Cd 4

1. Systeme Paradoxe . Comme Le Sable En Hiver
2. Aiboforcen . Break The Black Ice (Original Mix)
3. Chiasm . Cut Right Through (Emileigh Rohn Edit)
4. Saigon Blue Rain . Dolls Dresses
5. Her Own World . Mistrust
6. Still Patient Feat. Minu-Schirin Samimi . Blind Vision
7. Creux Lies . Playtime
8. Der Klinke . Curtains (Your Life On Hold Remix)
9. On The Floor . Crying On The Dancefloor
10. Numa Echos Feat. Red Zebra . Waisted Items
11. Factheory . The Day (Ok Lion! Mix – Short Version)
12. Antiflvx . Crystal
13. Flor Concreta . She’s Closer
14. Golden Apes . Ash Trees
15. Glis . Blue Sky Night
16. Ataraxia . The Source
17. Hanging Freud . Grooming
18. Ok Lion! . Get Away
19. Yuzna . Queen Of The Eels

Cd 5

1. The Breath Of Life Feat. Implant . The Last Record
2. The Halo Trees . Happy Man
3. Palm Ghosts . Tilt
4. Your Life On Hold . Imprisoned (Merciless Radio Edit)
5. Götterdämmerung . Common Existence
6. Jenni Sex . Sin Chimes
7. Denner . She Radiates Darkness
8. Imjudas . I Love You
9. Black Needle Noise . Dollhouse On Fire
10. Dead Souls Rising . Dysmorphobia
11. The Waning Moon . Annabel
12. Korinthians . Leader Of The Night
13. Elektrostaub Feat. Stefan Netschio . Mantis (Auger Remix)
14. Omnimar . The Matrix
15. Synapsyche Feat. Chris Harms (Lord Of The Lost) . The Last Dying Flame
16. Dance My Darling . Criminal
17. First Aid 4 Souls Feat. Emke Of Black Nail Cabaret . Das Messer
18. Supernova 1006 . Tell Your Name (Mix)
19. Suicidal Romance . Runaways

Cd 6

1. Ascii.Disko . Loslassen
2. Vioflesh . Emotions
3. Dina Summer . Who Am I (Club Version)
4. Pleasure Victim . Rascheln
5. Pink Opake . Pronta
6. Thewalkingicon . The Trail (Radio Edit)
7. Psy’aviah Feat. Sorrow Stories . Healing
8. Seasurfer . Collapsing
9. Lakeside X . Fire In The Sky (Radio Version)
10. Darkness On Demand . Hang On (Winterhart Remix)
11. Star Industry . Selling Icons (The Dreamside Remix)
12. Alphavox . Dark Satellite
13. Yama Uba . Shapes
14. Lifeless Past . Anxiety
15. Pink Turns Blue . Not Gonna Take It
16. Social Union . Waiting For Red
17. Sine . Until (Clan Of Xymox Remix)
18. Sorry, Heels . She Burns (We Burn) Version
19. Lights A.M . Clouds

Cd 7

1. Useless/You . Echo
2. Attrition . The Great Derailer
3. Children Of Zeal . Taking Over
4. Octolab . Friend Or Foe
5. Vague Phonique . The Last Man
6. Midnight Poetry . Black Hole
7. The Overlookers . Undercover (Edit)
8. La Machine . Vamos A La Playa (Radiomix)
9. Die Sexual . House Of God
10. Carrellee . Morning Sun
11. Underviewer . Was Soll Ich Tun (Aiboforcen Remix)
12. Night In Athens . Words Unspoken
13. Neila Invo . Alienation
14. Skeletal Family . My Own Redemption
15. The Murder Mystery . A Girl Named Red
16. Princess Ugly . For A Moment I Forgot The Desolation
17. Instant Lake . Ivory Dreams
18. Vision Video . Balaclava Kiss
19. La Scaltra . Dancing On Debris

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!

side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Electro-Pop.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: Four years have passed since the promising debut-album “Teenage Wet Dreams”. French duo JB Lacassagne (Dekad) and Pierre_XY (Foretaste) are back on track unleashing their second opus “Videodrama”. They remained inspired by the past, now moving back to the fantasy world of David Cronenberg, John Carpenter, Stephen King, John Hugues ao.

Content: The sound has evolved as well although remaining pretty Electro-Pop like. They’re more into 80s Electronics while the debut-album also featured 50s and 60s elements. You’ll notice the typical effects, sweeps and space-like atmospheres getting us back to the magic of Electro-Wave. Most of the songs have a danceable appeal but you’ll also discover softer, melancholic, cuts.

+ + + : The Overlookers didn’t produce a copy-paste album of their debut work. “Videodrama” is a catchy, retro-like work with a personal touch on top. The work  has an atypical BOREDOMproduct-sound and that’s rather cool. It enlarges the musical horizon of the label and both musicians as well. It also is a well-crafted composition with multiple attention grabbers. Some parts are reminding me to Propaganda but globally speaking I would dare to say The Overlookers have adapted 80s Electro-Pop into a very personal sound approach.

– – – : The album is maybe missing an absolute hit song but don’t worry, we’ll get a very cool tracklist instead.

Conclusion: The Overlookers is much more than simply a side-project but just a great, creative, and inspired Electro-Pop project made in France.

Best songs: “Undercover”, “A Heavy Price To Pay”, “Cast Away Your Sorrow”, “Red Lights”.

Rate: 8.

Artist: www.facebook.com/theoverlookersmusic

Label: www.boredomproduct.fr  / www.facebook.com/boredomproduct

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

Electro-pop duo The Overlookers, comprising XY from Foretaste and JB from Dekad, are back after a four-year hiatus since the release of their debut album, “Teenage Wet Dreams”. Having previously explored the world of 1950s America with Elvis Presley and colourful Cadillacs, the band has decided to jump three decades into the future for their latest project.

Their forthcoming album, titled “Videodrama”, delves into the world of 1980s nostalgia, embracing VHS technology and the era’s distinctive analog synth chords. However, despite the overtly retro-inspired sounds, The Overlookers are keen to remind fans that the Devil is always in the details.

To give you a taste of what’s to come, the band has released their first – excellent – digital single, “Undercover”, from the new album, accompanied by a music video. Fans can pre-order the limited edition 12″ vinyl LP or CD album now via the BOREDOMproduct webshop.

Check out the interview we have with The Overlookers a while back to get an idea what the project is all about.

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!

side-line.com

Set up as a solo-project by ‘JB’ French Electro-Pop project Dekad released its debut album “Sin_lab” in 2005. This year Dekad released its fifth album “Nowhere Lines” again on BOREDOMproduct. For the very first time JB joined hands together with an extra member. ‘XY’ who next to be involved with Foretaste also set up together with JB the side-project The Overlookers, got actively involved. The work sounds as Kraftwerk mixed with EBM influences. A great and sophisticated piece of Electronics which incited me to get in touch with JB.  

(Courtesy by Inferno Sound Diaries)

Q: “Nowhere Lines” is the first new Dekad album in seven years and the fifth one in the project’s discography. How does it feel to be ‘back’ and how do you see Dekad today compared to the early years and the first album “Sin_lab” (2005)?

JB: Most of the songs had been written for a long time, but the pandemic made things much more complicated.
The mix and the mastering took some time too but the result is here.

In fact this release was a real liberation. There were other projects I really wanted to focus on (the side-project The Overlookers).

When I compare the 2022 Dekad version to the early years version, I’m rather satisfied by the evolution of the sound and the vocals ! Listening to “Sin_Lab” brings me a mixed feeling of nostalgia and kindness. There were really good ideas in that album and I wish I could go back in time and make it a little different.

Q: You just mentioned The Overlookers side-project which you set up together with ‘XY’ from
Foretaste who also contributed to the new Dekad-album. How do you look back at the experience with The Overlookers and what makes the connection and chemistry between both of you?

JB: XY and I have many things in common! We share the same taste for music, movies, good food and a questionable sense of humor! Things are so easy and at the same time so challenging when you work with XY.

Easy because a single listen of a demo is enough to find the right words and the way to perform the song.

We did not even have to meet during the making of the album. A phone call or an e-mail was enough. It is also challenging because I’m so amazed by his technical skills and his song writing. I must do my best to be worthy. Spoiler alert, a second album should be out in 2023.

Q: “Nowhere Lines” seems to be inspired by uncertain times we’re living in. It’s an item numerous citizens all over Europe and the world are concerned about. What did you try to accentuate and how do you experience changing times for musicians and arts generally speaking?

JB: For the last few years, it is obvious that things are getting worse. When you see those shootings in the US, this unreal war in Ukraine, this non-stop violence everywhere… And no need to talk about our sick climate… This world is crazy!

Music, art in general is more than necessary today. I always keep in mind that I’m lucky to live in a country where freedom of expression still means something. Hopefully this is an exciting time for people who want to make music. Everything is so simpler than 30 years ago. But at the same time very talented musicians will be lost in this huge offer and will never get the attention they deserve. Many are called, but few are chosen…

Q: How did the writing of “Nowhere Lines” happened? What have been the funny moments and satisfactions at one side and elements of frustration at the other side?

JB: For the first time, I decided not to put too many pressure on myself with deadlines. I just let the songs come. Sometimes, I could stay away from the machines during several weeks, that was not a problem.
And as I stressed earlier, the mood of this album is influenced by the times we are living. This is why it is so dark.
For me, the moment of satisfaction is always the same. It is when I plug the mic and start putting vocals on the first track I wrote. Most of the time this is also a funny moment because the result is usually awful, or at least, unexpected! The frustration usually arrives when the album is finished and sent to BOREDOMproduct. This is when I start to hear all the little imperfections, the things I could have done wiser.

Q: You released a clip for the song “A Deadly Show”. Is it still important releasing clips today –especially as an underground artist? What did you try to express by the imagery (clip)? And what are the further plans now the album has been released?

JB: In my opinion, a single needs a clip. It would be a nonsense not to use a platform like Youtube or Wimeo when you know that it gives you the opportunity to reach millions of people. For the single “A Deadly Show”, I wanted a striking idea to illustrate the subject of the song. And this ‘Day of the Dead’ lady was for me a good illustration.

As for further plans, there will be a third single called “Promises” in the next few weeks. Here again, the imagery  should appeal to you…

Q: I never asked this questions to any other band signed to BOREDOMproduct, but there’s a common ‘sound’ and connection between all bands of the label. You sometimes get the feeling there’s only one single artist dealing with multiple projects. What’s the true connection and common thread between all artists? And do you feel something like a ‘label family’-thing?

JB: Well, there is a common denominator: ‘Member U-0176’! We have been working together for 17 years now and I must admit that his advices and artistic choices are always relevant. He has very set ideas about what is good and what is bad for a song. The result is here. People who listen bands from BOREDOMProduct always stress the quality of the production.

I would talk about a strong fellowship rather than a ‘family’ thing. We know that we can count on each other if necessary. To give you an example, if it was not for XY and XX, I would never spend hours and hours learning Foretaste songs and go onstage with them! But it is so much fun every time we get together that they could take me with them anywhere! I just wish we could see each other more often.

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

Genre/Influences: Electro-Pop, Body-Pop.

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: French formation Dekad strikes back with a new album, which is the first one in seven years. In the meantime, core member ‘JB’ set up together with ‘XY’ (Foretaste) The Overlookers. And ‘XY’ joined hands together with Dekad for this fourth full length inspired by questions and uncertainty about the human race.

Content: Dekad brings a styled and polished Electro-Pop work, which features the ‘robotic’ sound of Kraftwerk and the ‘power’ of EBM. It resulted in a fine and efficient production revealing multiple bleeps, effects, menacing bass lines and cool strings.

+ + + : Dekad is a formation I was missing on BOREDOMproduct. I already heard great stuff from this artist who only confirms his talent on “Nowhere Lines”. The songs have been achieved with great sound intelligence becoming sophisticated cuts. Most of the songs are danceable and especially the last part features ‘harder’ tracks like “Never Sleep Again” and the previously released single “A Deadly Show”. But I also have to mention the instrumental “Last Chance” which sounds as a true tour de force, the opening piece “A Strange Attraction” giving me the sensation to listen to the new Kraftwerk and “Watching You” which has been progressively built up.

– – – : I was less convinced by the few ‘softer’ pieces, which rather sounded like short breaks.

Conclusion: Dekad has this typical sound DNA which is familiar for BOREDOMproduct bands, but this band -and especially this album, has something more, which sounds futuristic and visionary.

Best songs: “A Strange Attraction”, “Never Sleep Again”,  “A Deadly Show”, “Last Chance”, “Watching You”.

Rate: 8½.

Artist: www.facebook.com/dekadmusic

Label: www.boredomproduct.fr  / www.facebook.com/boredomproduct

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

The French electropop act Dekad is back with a fifth, 11-track strong, album, “Nowhere Lines” on the fine French label BOREDOMproduct. Promoted by its first single “A Deadly Show”, “Nowhere Lines” sees the French act returning after a seven year hiatus.

For the first time the material was co-produced by Foretaste’s XY member who co-wrote The Overlookers’ “Teenage Wet Dreams” album three years ago.

You can order the album right below on CD and as a digital download.

Check out the video for “A deadly Show” right below.

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!

side-line.com

The French electropop act Dekad is back after 7 years of silence with a brand new single and video, and it’s called “A Deadly Show”.

This new track is being released ahead of a new 11-track album entitled “Nowhere Lines”. Expect catchy choruses bathing in electro pop and fat bass lines. The new material was co-produced by Foretaste’s XY who co-wrote The Overlookers’ “Teenage Wet Dreams” album three years ago.

The new single is available on all digital platforms – including Bandcamp – and offers two versions of the title track, including a remix by Foretaste’s XY.

Here’s the video.

Along with this new track and video, the project’s label BOREDOMproduct is now accepting the pre-orders for the forthcoming new album “Nowhere Lines” to be released at the end of June this year.

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!

side-line.com

French Foretaste duo this year unleashed their sixth album in history. The work has been again released on BOREDOMproduct. Driven by C_XX and X_XY, Foretaste also released their first new full length since 2016. The production remains Minimal/Electro-Pop like, but appears to be the band’s most intimate work to date. “Happy End” is an intriguing title released during uncertain times of the ongoing pandemic. The music doesn’t sound happy at all, but reflects a dark- and sometimes experimental approach. I asked a few questions to both protagonists.

(Courtesy by Inferno Sound Diaries)

Q: “Happy End” is your first new album in five years. How do you see and consider this work in Foretaste’s discography and your personal evolution as artists?

C_XX : We are aware that this album may sound different from previous ones. When we started writing songs 2 or 3 years ago, we wanted something very intimate and not over-produced. 

C_XY : At the same time we also wanted to experiment with new things in terms of production, getting our sound a bit dirtier. It’s not always easy to get out of your comfort zone, and for the first time we tried to make our songs as light as possible.

Q: “Happy End” has been composed and recorded in 2020 and is obviously connected with the ongoing pandemic. What did you try to express in sound and lyrics? Did the pandemic had an impact on your way of working and the release of the album?

C_XX: To be honest we wrote all the songs one year before the pandemic and 50% of the production work was done before 2020. Fortunately we had time to see each other and record the vocal parts before the first lockdown.

C_XY: So during the lockdown I was able to fine-tune the production of the album. I don’t think that this crisis has changed anything on this album, even the title “Happy End”! was found before the pandemic. I don’t know if we can call it a happy accident…

Q: I can’t get away there’s a cynical undertone in the title of the album, but how do we have to understand it? 

C_XX: Of course it’s cynical, several fans wrote to us asking if this was also the end of Foretaste. I would like to reassure them that this is not the way we have planned the end of the band.

C_XY: Globally this album is about the end of everything because we are passionate about this subject and we would be very curious to see how the end of the world would look like.

Q: The song “Pure Madness”, which according to me is one of the best pieces, is dedicated to ‘spacejumper’ Felix Baumgartner. What inspired you to write a song about him? 

C_XY : I was fascinated to see the video of his jump. The image that stays in my mind is seeing him standing at the door of his capsule. He was watching the earth alone in space, I always wondered what he was thinking about at that moment. It really inspired me.

Q: I got the feeling the new album also is your darkest one to date, but still sounding more intimate, Experimental and even Cinematographic. What’s your perception about it and what inspired you in the production process?

C_XX: It’s funny because the demos were not sad at all, some of them were quite happy! We didn’t want too many instruments in addition to my voice to give the album a more intimate dimension.

C_XY: Our previous album “Space Echoes” was like a super-production to us and it also was very hard to produce. We decided to use the 2 or 3 analog synths that we liked the most so that we didn’t get bogged down in technology. Even the drums were recorded with these synths.

Q: How do you see the future of Foretaste and the solo-project Creature XY?

C_XX: We are already writing new songs together and we would also like to play live again one day…

C_XY: I’m finalizing the 2^nd album of The Overlookers with JB from Dekad. Then I’ll try to work on my solo-project.

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

The French electro-pop label BOREDOMproduct doesn’t often sign new bands. So I was really wondering who was hiding behind this new name added to the label roster. ‘JB’ from Dekad and  ‘XY’ from Foretaste joined forces creating The Overlookers. After the promising debut EP “Driving Fast” (2018) they now have unleashed their debut full length “Teenage Wet Dreams”. The albums sounds in the purest tradition of the BOREDOMproduct bands, but with a funny concept dealing with aspects of the 50s and 60s American society.

(Courtesy by Inferno Sound Diaries)

Q: It all looks like Foretaste + Dekad = The Overlookers! How did this project saw the daylight and what new sonic challenges do you purchase?  

JB: it started as a recreation. XY had finished his album, mine was just at the beginning and we felt it would be a good thing to try to work on new songs without any pressure, just to see if we could produce something together. We did not intend to make a full album, rather an EP. The obvious challenge was to manage to blend our two universes so that it doesn’t sound exclusively Foretaste or Dekad.

XY: As long as I remember, nothing was planned, we both often have to worry about each other’s demos and that’s how it started. As we work quite quickly, we found out that we had an album in our hands in a few weeks.

Q: The Overlookers has been introduced as a project inspired by American vintage red cars, thriller movies and electronic music. Except the electronic music it all feels like we’re going back to the 50s & 60s. What is this concept all about?

JB: Like a lot of guys from our generation, we are fascinated by certain aspects of the American culture. Nothing very original in fact… Beautiful cars, Western landscapes, movies from the 80s and the American way of life as it could be depicted in movies like “Christine”, “Carrie” or “American Graffiti”. As electronic musicians, we wanted to break the Rock‘n’Roll codes and try to imagine what teenagers from the 60’s would have listened in their jukebox if drum machines and synths had replaced electric guitars and saxophones.

XY: It was just a joke at first, but very quickly it gave the album a common thread. It was very inspiring, there is so much to write about being a teenager.

Q: Your debut EP “Driving Fast” features a wink to the 60s with the cover version of “Unchained Melody”. I rather expect you to make a cover version of Kraftwerk instead of The Righteous Brothers. I guess it was pure fun revisiting this song? How did it happen?

JB: Our boss at BOREDOMproduct suggested that we make a cover of a typical standard of the 60s. What better choice than “Unchained Melody” that everybody knows? The melody, the lyrics sound so 60s! As far as I’m concerned it was quite a challenge to sing that song as it is so far from the way I’m used to sing… Concerning Kraftwerk, even if they started their career in the early 70s playing Krautrock, it is already to recent for us !

XY: I have a real passion for these 50s and 60s torch songs. We had chosen several tracks to cover. “Unchained Melody” was not my favorite one, but we wanted people to immediately recognize the song.

Q: Tell us a bit more about the composition and global production of the album? How was it working together and who took care of what?

JB : We never met during the production of the album. We just communicated by e-mails. In fact, we are used
to work that way. And it works perfectly. It gives us so much reactivity. Sometimes, XY could send me the music in the morning, I could write the lyrics and record the vocals in the afternoon. The song was done at 8pm.

XY: It was really cool to work like that. The objective was not to think too much, we just had to turn the knobs on the synthesizers, find great sounds and record without saving our presets.

Q: The lyrical content is also an interesting item; there’re some links to 60s songs and artists, but still interesting metaphors about life like on “Driving Fast”. Can you tell us a bit more about this aspect and the artwork as well?

XY: On “Driving Fast” we really wanted the listener to be able to project himself into a car, to feel the speed
and life passing by. There’s only one chord in this song like a long straight road. The texts talk about the speed
and death that coexist and give us a good dose of adrenaline.

The artwork was made by BOREDOMproduct even before the album was recorded, it helped us a lot and
inspired us to write the songs.

Q: BOREDOMproduct clearly is much more than simply a label. It makes me think to a kind of ‘electronic family’ featuring artists sharing their common passion for electronic music. How do you perceive it as ‘artists’ and do you feel a kind of ‘label spirit’?

JB: There definitively is a ‘label spirit’ at BOREDOMproduct. We know each other for more than 15 years now. Even if we are not in contact every day, we have as strong sense of cohesion. All
this, based on  strong sense of humor as well !

XY: That’s exactly it, I even remember that the label offered to sign this album before even listening to it.
Nowadays artists can do their thing without a label, but with BOREDOMproduct we don’t even ask ourselves the question, we feel confident with them.

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

Genre/Influences: Electro-pop.

Background/Info: The last year released EP “Driving Fast” revealed a new band at BOREDOMproduct. It was not very clear who was hiding behind this ‘new’ project, but the album now brings an answer. I presumed it consists of musicians familiar with the French label and I right I was. ‘XY’ (Foretaste) and ‘JB’ (Dekad) joined hands to set up this crazy project inspired by American vintage red cars, thriller movies and electronic music.

Content: The album takes off with the title song of the EP, which remains the absolute master cut from the album. This is great electro/robotic music with a kind of astral-EBM touch on top. The other songs featured at the EP (except the cover version of “Unchained Melody”) were remixes while the album features the original edits. So in the end we get 6 ‘new’ songs plus 4 familiar ones. The sound remains pretty astral-pop like with the typical ‘bleeping’ sequences –most of the label bands are dealing with, on top. I noticed a few 60s elements, which more sounds as a wink instead of a real source of inspiration.

+ + + : The album is characterized by cool sound treatments, which are also a kind of BOREDOMproduct trademark. It feels like all bands and artists are related with each other. It creates the typical electro-pop sound of the label and The Overlookers are definitely part of it. The songs are sophisticated and sung with rather sexy vocals. “Driving Fast” remains a ‘potential’ hit; it’s an original and efficient song with some EBM dimension on top. The somewhat darker sounding “Inhale” and “Porn Night” are other noticeable cuts. And I also have to mention “Prom Night” for its great bass line. Last, but not least I have to say a word about the cool artwork and especially the front cover of this digipak format.

– – – : I regret some songs remain pretty short. I also have a double feeling with “Give Me More”, which sounds original, but not exactly efficient.

Conclusion: The Overlookers sounds as a successful collaboration between two label mates. The sound is not exactly reinventing the label roster, but will simply please the BOREDOMproduction fan base.

Best songs: “Driving Fast”, “Prom Night”, “Speak To The Devil”, “Inhale”.

Rate: (8).

Artist: www.facebook.com/theoverlookersmusic

Label: www.boredomproduct.online.fr / www.facebook.com/boredomproduct

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

The album “Teenage Wet Dreams” by The Overlookers (dekad/Foretaste) is out now. And the band has also released a video clip for the single “Driving Fast” which you can view below. The 10-track album can be ordered on CD and as a download via BOREDOMproduct’s webstore.

The Overlookers is the secret project of XY (Foretaste) and JB (Dekad). Warmly recommended!

You can preview the complete album below.

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!

side-line.com

The Overlookers is the brand secret (not anymore) project of XY (Foretaste) and JB (Dekad). The 10-track album “Teenage Wet Dreams” by The Overlookers will be released on march 23 and the label that will be releasing the album, BOREDOMproduct, has now announced preorders at a special price.

You can pre-order your copy now on www.boredomproduct.fr.

“Teenage Wet Dreams” offers a mixture of electronic pop, synthwave and EBM, inspired by: American vintage red cars and thriller movies. Below is already a preview!

Debut single already out

The debut single by The Overlookers, “Driving Fast”, is now available as a 5-track limited edition CD with exclusive bonus and remix. The 4-track digital version is also available on usual platforms, except iTunes that decided to ban the record for some stupid reason.

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!

side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Electro-pop.

Background/Info: It’s not very often that the French electro-pop label BOREDOMproduct signs new bands. But here comes The Overlookers, a formation inspired by ‘American vintage red cars, thriller movies and electronic sounds’. But is it really a ‘new’ formation or maybe a side-project featuring members from other label-bands? Time will tell and the answer will maybe be given at the forthcoming debut album “Teenage Wet Dreams”.

Content: The title song -and the remix, both are vintage-orientated electro-pop pieces, revealing power, bleeps, effects and danceable vibes.

The 3 tracks left are quite different. First there’s a surprising cover version of the famous “Unchained Melody” featured as an electro-version. Next you’ll get two more songs (remixes actually), which are more into dreamy electronics with a sterile approach on top.

+ + + : The title song is a great piece of music (and the remix as well) and definitely a cool introduction to the sonic universe of The Overlookers. I like the vintage sound treatments and the danceable aspect of the song. This song perfectly stands for the taste of the label.

– – – : I can’t say that the other remaining tracks are bad, but they just feel as B-sides. It’s exactly the same with the cover version of “Unchained Melody”.

Conclusion: I have double feelings about this EP. The B-sides aren’t totally convincing, but the title song makes sense and is a great piece of electro-pop music with power and attitude.

Best songs: “Driving Fast – Remix”, “Driving Fast – Video Edit”.

Rate: (7).

Artist: www.facebook.com/theoverlookersmusic

Label: www.boredomproduct.online.fr / www.facebook.com/boredomproduct

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