Breathless tension pervades the new-wave sound of the debut HIGH VOLTAGE single 'On Your Marks', which nods to the cultish binary synth echo of the late 70's and early 80's, serving as another reminder of the incredible diversity to be found within the contemporary Leeds music scene.
The deep-set sonic appeal whirls in and around the machine driven pulse, demented-drum fills and handclapping FX as the paranoia threatens to reach drastic proportions. The three-part vocal attack fills the tune with complex urgency, completing a vintage feel that harks back to the coldness of an earlier era, underlining the wisdom behind the current rush for antequated synthesisers.
The binary feel is also testament to the fact that these four lads don't sound anything like four lads, and though there is a definite trend for what H.V. are doing, that doesn't lessen the quality of this release.
|
'OnYour Marks' makes for interesting listening, that much is certain. It all sounds so far removed from the 80's/90's indie cultishness of a Leeds scene as defined by The Wedding Present or The Bridewell Taxis, yet has none of the electronic cabaret of Soft Cell. Again that's a proud reminder of the progressive diversity to be found in the capital of West Yorkshire.
Well worth a listen.
|