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  1. Clan Of Xymox– ‘Loneliness

Dear people, I choose this striking tune for our ears, ’cause on 31st March, gothic legends Clan Of Xymox let out the first video ‘Loneliness‘ from the upcoming ‘Days Of Black‘ LP, directed by Zoe Cavanagh. The song is a typical gothic/darkwave masterpiece by mastermind Ronny Moorings, enhancing “Loneliness” with keys, guitar and critical vocals, over the certain sour/sweet atmosphere that made that iconic band beloved among the goths, and so important among the music fans. As for the video, just watch it! It’s a credit for both the band and the director, reminding our live’s bitter circumstances in quite artistic terms, and this is gothic. So, here we have the fresh by Clan Of Xymox, a song to dance to with a video to bring the clouds, Gothic Loud!

Mike Dimitriou

  1. Second Still – ‘You Two So Alike

Few bands nowadays have the remarkable freshness and ability in refining and updating the best stylistic features of the golden era of coldwave and post-punk, as the Los Angeles-based three-piece Second Still, consisting of Suki San (vox), Ryan Walker (guitar) and Alex Hartman (bass), are amazingly able to create.

You Two So Alike’ is an hypnotic and brooding, seductive gem with a gallopping bassline and John McGeoch-alike dissonant razor-sharp guitar riffs perfectly matching Suki’s dreamy and alluring vocals…the perfect way to set the tone for their upcoming beautiful self titled debut album.

Fabrizio Lusso

  1. Mermaidens – ‘Lizard

From the little South Pacific Kiwi island keep emerging exciting and fresh new bands and artists, just recently the dreampoppers Fazerdaze, the quirky iconoclasts Girls Pissing On Girls Pissing and the evocative folkstress Aldous Harding and Nadia Reid.

The Wellington-based rock trio Mermaidens, of guitarist and vocalist Gussie Larkin, bassist and vocalist Lily West and drummer Abe Hollingsworth,  already caught the attention of the more discerning listeners with their last year’s promising debut album ‘Undergrowth’, but the brand new single ‘Lizard’, taken from their upcoming second album ‘Perfect Body’ to be released in the summer, is a great step further towards a full mature songwriting and overseas appreciation.

Their unique skill of mixing post punk and psychedelic elements leaving above all without fixed points to define them is still here, but, as never before, the compelling driving guitar chords that pulse with dark feelings and the soaring and unsettling vocals give new mysterious insights into their sound palette and leave you bewitched.

Fabrizio Lusso

  1. Phonothek & Cities Last Broadcast – ‘Last Melody

After making a huge impact with their debut, Phonothek return just under a year later with their second opus, ‘Red Moon‘. The two opening tracks are collaborations, the first with Keosz, and this one, with Cities Last Broadcast. ‘Last Melody‘ takes the listener on a dark and hypnotic journey through some sort of post-apocalyptic noir-jazz ambient. Cities Last Broadcast bring the hauntingly dark basis while Phonothek add their beautifully melancholic horns. The combination is a recipe for success. With two opening tracks of this caliber, it is hard to believe the rest of ‘Red Moon‘ could hold up to its introduction, and yet that is exactly what it does. Close your eyes and let the weird post-apocalyptic crime-noir soundscapes unfold.

Michael Barnett

  1. ShitKid – ‘Tropics’

Sometimes YouTube does its own magic! While preparing for this mixtape, and while the last second of Second Still‘s ‘You Two So Alike‘ passed, this killer tune popped in… ‘Tropics‘ by ShitKid (what a name!) is an über-cool tune you may end up singing along in the bathroom, in the kitchen, or even out while waiting for the next metro. And then, comes this smile on your face without even knowing why… And why not? This is what it’s all about, just pump up the volume, sing along “doo-wop” and play the idiot. Everything is fine just for 201 seconds. This is what counts…

Christos Doukakis

Compiled by Mike Dimitriou, Fabrizio Lusso, Michael Barnett & Christos Doukakis