The Bleak Assembly – We Become Strangers (EP – The Bleak Assembly)
Genre/Influences: Dark-Wave, Wave-Pop.
Format: Digital.
Background/Info: We welcome the debut-EP from American duo The Bleak Assembly. Behind this new formation hides Kimberly Kornmeier (Bow Ever Down) and Michael Smith (Fiction8).
Content: The work features 4 songs which are clearly inspired by good-old New/Dark-Wave. The evasive and melancholic guitar playing reminds me of The Cure.
+ + + : The songs are literally carried by the charismatic vocals of Kimberly. The songs are covered by a delicious, melancholic, perfume which is mainly emerging at the opening song. The 4 songs are an interesting introduction to this new formation.
– – – : I like evasive productions in the Dark-Wave style however I’m missing a true climax here.
Conclusion: Let’s keep an eye on this new project which must have more potential than what came out at this debut.
Best songs: “Slow Down Time”.
Rate: 6½.
Artist: www.facebook.com/TheBleakAssembly
About The Bleak Assembly
The Bleak Assembly is a collaboration between Kimberly Kornmeier of Bow Ever Down and Michael Smith of Fiction8, formed in August 2022. The duo works entirely remotely, with Kornmeier writing and recording from Kurdistan and Smith from Denver, Colorado. Both artists were previously signed to Nilaihah Records in their respective bands and connected through the Sounds & Shadows social media group; the pair also perform together as the current lineup of Bow Ever Down. The project’s name loosely references Charles Dickens’ novel “Bleak House”. “We Become Strangers” is the duo’s debut EP, followed in 2024 by the album “Until The World Stops Hurting”.
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