Vexagon – I For An I (Digital/CD/Vinyl Album – Cold Transmission Music)

Vexagon is a project by Briar Moth. This third album, and the first to be released through Cold Transmission Music, is a remarkable work. It emerged following a series of severe personal trials, including a house fire, the loss of a job, the beginning of a divorce, and ultimately coming out as a transgender and queer person—all within the span of about a year. Briar Moth viewed these experiences as the unveiling of a new future. The album explores the idea that becoming the person you want to be often comes at the cost of the person you once were.
Now, onto the music. The album contains 12 tracks and features numerous collaborations, primarily with guest vocalists, but also with guitarists and a drummer. The music of Vexagon has a soothing, sensual quality, particularly through the vocals, while also carrying a darker undertone. At times, the soothing atmosphere gradually shifts into something more menacing. Overall, it is a subtle and understated album that could be described as dreamlike Pop, with synthesizers and guitars complementing each other perfectly. There are also several beautiful vocal duets to discover, with singers who maintain a perfect balance and add a magical, sensual touch to the songs. The rhythms generally remain slow but are consistently infectious. To me, “I For An I” sounds both summery and like the kind of music you could enjoy while sitting in front of a crackling fireplace on a winter evening.
This album may feel somewhat like an outlier within the Cold Transmission roster, but as far as I am concerned, it is nevertheless a highly successful and thoroughly enjoyable record. (Rating:8).
Listen to “Mending”:
About Vexagon
Vexagon is the solo darkwave project of Briar Moth, based in Los Angeles, California. The project explores identity, sexuality, and living as an autistic non-binary person in the modern world.
Vexagon signed to Progress Productions in October 2023, and released the debut album “A New Flesh Experience” in January 2024 on that label. The single “Eyes Without A Face” was remixed by JK Flesh, the electronic project of Justin Broadrick from Godflesh, in a version released in August 2024.
Vexagon later moved to Cold Transmission Music, which released the third album, “I For An I”, on May 1, 2026, on digital, CD, and vinyl formats. The album features guest vocal spots from Tuliips, Chris Colohan (Cursed, Sect), Lena of Secret Shame, and Jeff Hull of Night Gallery.

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