The Violent Youth – Tsvety (Digital/Vinyl/Cassette Album – Artoffact Records)
Over the last ten years, The Violent Youth, the project led by Belarusian musician Arthur Tsymbal and joined by his Russian collaborator Egor Ivakhnenko, has released quite a few albums. With “Tsvety”, the band now unveils its second consecutive release on Artoffact Records.
The Violent Youth has developed a highly distinctive sound that comfortably fits within the broader spectrum of Electro-Wave and Dark-Wave. The production is rather minimalistic, yet it is enriched by a dark and immersive atmosphere, while the deep, often muffled vocals add an extra layer of intensity. The lyrics are often difficult to decipher—sometimes due to the language itself—but this only enhances the overall mood, adding another mysterious and shadowy dimension to the music. Most of the songs are infused with a dark, ethereal quality, strongly reinforced by the synth work. Here and there, the guitar lines evoke memories of the magic of The Cure and Trisomie 21.
There are several noteworthy tracks to discover on this album, but the opening, title, song stands out as the absolute highlight for me. (Rating:7½).
Listen to “Tsvety”:
https://violentyouth.bandcamp.com/track/tsvety
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