Vlimmer – Diskomfort (Digital/CD/Cassette Mini-Album – Blackjack Illuminist Records)
Blackjack Illuminist owner and musically active as Vlimmer, Alexander Donat released this mini-album earlier this year.
If you’re even slightly familiar with the German musician’s oeuvre, “Diskomfort” won’t surprise you. Yet, the opening track is a real treat. “Firmament” is an exceptional song-dark and ethereal-that recalls the magical years of The Cocteau Twins, somewhere between Dream-Pop and Dark-Wave, with soaring vocals that resonate more in the background. The song’s strength lies in the atmosphere conjured by the magic of Donat’s guitar work. This track is somewhat indicative of the rest of the album. The musical approach and execution remain consistent, yet no other piece-not even the title track-reaches the same level as the opener.
Vlimmer remains steeped in ’80s influences, and although none of the other songs particularly appeal to me, this work still contains a true gem. (Rating:7).
Listen to “Firmament”:
About Vlimmer
Vlimmer is the shoegaze and darkwave project of German musician Alexander Leonard Donat, who also runs the label Blackjack Illuminist Records. Donat completed an 18-EP series between 2015 and 2020 before moving toward post-punk on the debut album “Nebenkörper” (2021), which added industrial and noise-rock elements. The follow-up, “Menschenleere” (2022), leaned toward a more dancefloor-oriented sound.
The Berlin-based project’s third album, “Zerschöpfung” (2023), mixed darkwave, post-punk, shoegaze, and new wave with tribal drums. “Diskomfort”, a digital/CD/cassette mini-album, is Vlimmer’s latest release.
Support Side-Line
More people read Side-Line than ever, and there is still no paywall and no advertising. Readers pay for it instead - from $5 a month.
Why we ask
Advertising revenues across the media are falling fast. Unlike many news organisations we have not put up a paywall, and we refuse to add annoying advertising, so we need to ask for your help. Side-Line’s independent journalism takes time, money and hard work to produce, and we do it to push the artists we like, who are equally fighting to survive.
Handled by PayPal.
I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.
