Seattle based band delivers the perfect soundtrack for those longing for the world to return to normal.
Following up to 2016s “Endure”, that cracked the Top 10 on the Billboard Dance Album charts, Assemblage 23 releases, “Mourn”, his glorious ninth album. Combining genre-expanding electronics with intensely personal subject matter the new album seamlessly blends danceable electronics with intimate and soul-searching lyrics and is a breathtaking record from one of the best acts in the genre.
“This isn’t what I signed up for/this is misery”, frontman Tom Shear states on the opening track “Epiphany”, immediately setting the tone, yes this is an A23 record, it’s dark, it’s emotional and it’s truthful.
“Factory” changes the tone, at least musically, with an intro reminiscent of Depeche Mode’s “The Meaning of Love”, the song is a fast, almost synthpop, song, but the darkness is still there, with lyrics like “We do a great disservice to our young / And feign surprise to one day they became”, criticizing the educational system.
The album continues to evolve through “Bloom” and “Confession”, the second time I recognized a Depeche Mode influence, now from the Black Celebration era. “Dissonance” is another faux-dancefloor song. “Welcome, Apocalypse” is a sad reminder of our time.
“Could've”, “Tragedy” and “This House is Empty” closes the album combining A23’s darkwave atmospheres with intensely personal lyrics, proclaiming “Said my goodbyes / I cried an ocean / I’ll lick my wounds / In fairer climes…Burn it down / Burn it down“.
You can hear the teaser of the album, due to release September 11, bellow.
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