V/A Sore (Vinyl Compilation – Seja Records)
Genre/Influences: Electro-pop, minimal-electro, dream-pop.
Background/Info: Seja Records is a small, independent label from The Netherlands. “Sore” is the 13th release by the label, which is mainly focused on minimal electro-formats. I already discovered a few interesting names like Fatal Casualties, Niton Decay and Imiafan. This compilation features 11 songs and is the first vinyl compilation released by the label. Notice by the way that this album is not available on CD format.
Bands: Schwarzblut, Fatal Casualties, Psyche, Synths Versus Me, Makina Girgir, Képeslap, Boudoir, Identity Theft ao.
Content: Seja Records has selected an interesting cocktail of electronic formations mixing some more famous names at one side and new formations at the other side. This is an opportunity to discover new bands like THX 1971, Manic De{e}pression and A State Called Faith. Képeslap is another interesting name, which is a side-project of Imiafan (Slovakia) and Makina Girgir (France).
Sound-wise this vinyl mainly deals with electro-minimal-pop music. There’s a noticeable vintage element supporting most of the songs. From the somewhat cabaret-minded Fatal Casualties song towards great minimal vibes by Makina Girgir to the icy wave-pop of Psyche to the dream-pop by Manic De{e}pression to the cold-synthetic pop by Képaslap to the cool vintage electronic sounds of Boudoir this compilation definitely has a lot to reveal.
+ + + : I like the diversity, but especially the minimal taste of this sampler revealing excellent new and less familiar names in the scene. A few names like Makina Girgir, Manic De{e}pression and Képaslap each reveal a real huge potential.
– – – : The minimalism of the bands and the format (vinyl) will clearly appeal for a selected number of electro freaks. Despite of the cool songs I’m missing a few potential ‘hits’ although I’m not sure it’s the main goal of “Sore”.
Conclusion: Seja Records is one of those labels I highly respected for its fine, but alternative taste. I already discovered a few great releases and this compilation let me discover a few new interesting bands.
Best bands: Makina Girgir, Psyche, Synths Versus Me, Képeslap, Manic De{e}pression.
Rate: (7½).
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