Last week of regular coverage, folks, and therefore the last Tracks post of 2024! We’ll have a few more new releases to discuss this week and then we turn the page next Monday with our traditional “Friends Of” post, featuring some selections from pals and tastemakers from across our scenes before digging into our favourite records of the year.
Encephalon
CK 37, “8 bitars ren extas”
We were speaking a few weeks ago about the je ne sais quois which marks so much Swedish EBM, and hot damn if the new track from trio CK 37 isn’t a stellar example of it. Without skimping on the immediate and addictive punch of classic EBM, this homage to Commodore 64 binges of yore is jam-packed with poppy hooks and left-field squeals and blips that have had us running this one back a whole bunch this past week. Tip of the hat to Ville for sending this our way!
SDH, “Lovers Wonder”
Recent Artoffact signees Semiotics Department of Heteronyms come through with a very strong electropop track to end the year off. “Lovers Wonder” lays bare a lot of the pop sensibility the Spanish duo have coyly flirted with in the past, revealing melodic vocals that while quite lovely don’t totally abandon their measured style of songwriting and production. It’s a nice step in a new direction for the act, who should be due for a new LP in 2025.
Encephalon, “Like the Real Thing”
An absolute banger from our favourite Canadian electro-industrial concept rockers. Encephalon have always had some great club tunes that support their broader conceptual and musical complexities, and “Like the Real Thing” fits their mold to a tee; you get vocoded to accompany the powerful voice of Alis Device, a fast moving rhythm arrangement that blossoms into a massive climax, and lyrics that suggest the broader themes of the forthcoming Automaton All Along, due in 2025, and for which we are very excited.
Male Tears, “Little Doll”
Following up on this year’s Paradisco comes another slice of synth confectionery from Male Tears. Keeping the project’s interests in synthpop, freestyle, and electropop in harmony, a tune like this being so understated yet so immediately memorable speaks to how and why Male Tears have held on to so much of their initial goth and darkwave focused audience despite their move into pure pop.
Hello Moth, “Nothing Comes Between Us”
It’s always lovely to hear from Calgary’s glam electropop treasure Hello Moth, an act that we’ve been in love with since first catching them on a Terminus stage some years ago. As with the best of the project’s work new EP “Nothing Comes Between Us” is both genuinely touching and emotional, while also displaying a real mastery of how to get a song to seem huge and powerful without needing to go loud or forceful. Terrific stuff from an artist we’ve come to expect the extraordinary from.
Kibble, “I Hurt Myself, Rejoice”
In case the GRABYOURCHRISTMASTREE didn’t totally scratch your itch for Christmas tunes guaranteed to furrow the brow of your Boney M loving grandmother as the eggnog’s being passed around, Alex Reed has you covered. Yes, the man who’s brought you scene-specific Yuletide fare like “Last Christmas Love Tore Us Apart” and 1000 Ho-Ho DJs’ “(Every Day Is) Xmas” is bringing you a pair of NINter solstice carols. We promise that the phrase “I wear this crown of shit” has never before been trilled with such bonhomie.
