Velvet Kills – Bodhi Labyrinth (Album – Manic Depression Records, Icy Cold Records, Unknown Pleasures Records)
Genre/Influences: Electro-wave, cold-wave.
Format: Digital, Vinyl.
Background/Info: Three years after the remarkable debut album “Mischievous Urges”, Portuguese formation Velvet Kills are back on track. The album rather looks like a mini-album featuring six songs. The work has been released again by Unknown Pleasures Records, and also on Manic Depression Records and Icy Cold Records.
Content: I quickly got the feeling that the new stuff is moving a step further from the previous album. There still is this cold and sterile cold-wave sound inspired by the 80s, but the work also reveals more electro-driven compositions. The magic of good-old analogue sound treatments is easily noticeable.
+ + + : Velvet Kills simply confirms their strong potential. The 80s inspiration is once again noticeable, but this album sounds more personal than its predecessor. That’s mainly due to the electronic sound treatments, which are more at the front of the work creating an irresistible, minimal touch. On top of it all you also will notice the charisma and commanding vocals of Su Eko. She perfectly brings the coldness of the 80s back to life.
– – – : All this work is missing is an absolute hit!
Conclusion: Velvet Kills not only confirm their strong potential, but are still evolving into their cold-wave investigation of the 80s.
Best songs: “The Key”, “Hangover Calling”, “Noise”, “Bitch Face”.
Rate: (8).
Artist: https://www.velvetkills.com / www.facebook.com/velvetkills
Labels: www.manicdepressionrecords.com / www.facebook.com/manicdepressionrecords / www.facebook.com/icycoldrecords / www.unknown-pleasures-records.com / www.facebook.com/Unknown-Pleasures-Records-566180440115465
About Velvet Kills
Velvet Kills is a duo from Lisbon, Portugal, formed by vocalist/bassist Susana Santos, who performs as Su Eko, and guitarist/synth player Harris Iveson. The project self-released the EP “Memory” in 2016, followed by the debut album “Mischievous Urges” in 2017. “Bodhi Labyrinth” (2020) arrived three years later as a six-song mini-album, issued jointly through Unknown Pleasures Records, Manic Depression Records and Icy Cold Records.
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