As you may know, I have very eclectic tastes. I like to write about music that is new to me, whether it is actually new or not. Recently, a lot of posts have been focused on older artists I’ve only just discovered. Today is something different.
Vandal Moon is a dark wave outfit I’ve only just stumbled upon, though they’ve been around for about a dozen years already. Their debut album appears to have been self-released in 2013. Their latest, “Black Kiss”, came out digitally this month, with the vinyl pre-orders already sold out, not surprising given the ridiculously low pressing of 300! They are firmly in the indie camp: first two albums self-released, their third via web-only label Werkstatt Recordings, and their last three via Starfield Music of Vancouver, Canada. I like that. There’s something appealing about hearing what an artist wants to do without a large record company’s interference. It’s the kind of interference that tends to sand everyone down into the same shape.
Sometimes it’s difficult to discover new indie bands, especially for someone like me who prefers to buy music on vinyl. But I really lucked out this time. One of my favorite labels, Graveface Records of Savannah, Georgia, has acquired the rights to release “Black Kiss” on vinyl, and I was among the first to be notified via email. I’ve been a fan and collector of Graveface for a long time. I was one of the first members of their fantastic record club, and I’m almost always happily surprised by their roster. Vandal Moon is a more random signing than I’d normally expect from Graveface, but somehow the vibe fits. So when the email arrived earlier this month, I checked them out via the Graveface Bandcamp page and was blown away. This was not guitar-based post-punk as I’d expected. Think Sisters of Mercy meets The Cure, with a dash of Echo and the Bunnymen and some Ultravox thrown in for good measure.
The Santa Cruz duo consists of Blake Voss (vocals, guitars, synthesizers) and Jeremy Einsiedler (drum machines, synthesizers). Vandal Moon is firmly in the goth/dark wave family, with a distinctly 80s feel that will make you want to dance to their songs of decay and abandon. There’s a crispness to the production that reminds me of early Human League or Gary Numan/Tubeway Army albums, but with more emotional connection. Think a goth Visage. The vocals are reminiscent of Ian McCulloch or a young Dave Gahan. The driving bass is exactly what I want in an 80s synth band, something in the Giorgio Moroder territory but not quite as mainstream, with occasional passages that feel touched by the hand of New Order. They definitely wear their influences and affections on their sleeve.
Now that I’ve essentially name-checked your entire childhood, maybe I should tell you what Vandal Moon is NOT. It isn’t typical pop music with nothing to say and generic keyboard sounds thrown over a bland rhythm. These guys obviously love 80s synthesizer bands and early new wave, and they’ve channeled that into some gorgeously crafted songs that feel nostalgic without feeling old. There’s a definite shiny newness to the sound.
I’ve had the pleasure of living with this album for a week or so now and I’m still enjoying it tremendously. It’s been on high rotation since I found it on Spotify. I was so surprised by it that I bumped it straight to the top of the blog queue.
Of the ten tracks, only the title track, “Black Kiss”, doesn’t really resonate with me. The rest are compelling and keep me listening. (As an aside: is it just me, or do you also find that the worst song on an album is often the title track?)
The album opens with some typically goth-sounding electronic tracks: lead single “Hurt”, followed by “Dead” and then the aforementioned “Black Kiss”. It’s only once you get those three out of the way that the album really begins to shine. This is one of those rare records that gets better as it goes, rather than petering out by the halfway point. The second half is stronger by far, though it starts picking up steam on the fourth track.
“We Are Electric” is one of my favorites. I can definitely see myself grooving to this on the dance floor in a kind of eyes-closed trance. “We Live Forever” is a gorgeous piece with wonderful vocals from Voss, accompanied by Leanne Kelly’s haunting backing vocals (the song features fellow indie artists New Spell). It’s probably the slowest tempo on the entire album, and I generally dislike slow songs, but I get into this one every single time. Other standouts: “Wicked World”, “Suicidal City Girl”, “Robot Lover”, and “Pretend to Die”.
A lot of what I love about this album is that it does its own thing. It doesn’t sound pre-packaged or designed by committee. It’s as if the band said, “Here it is. We like it. Like it or don’t, it’s up to you.” I definitely like it.
I’m happy I can check out most of their older releases on Spotify as well. Hopefully some of their earlier material will get a vinyl reissue (I make no apologies for being a vinyl snob, xox).
You can stream Vandal Moon‘s new album here via Spotify:
Alternately, you can check it out and buy the album here via Bandcamp:
If you like what you hear, by all means share this post! It’s the best way to help an indie band get exposure/cover costs.
#MusicBoxTW
