Minimal electropop, EBM, synth wave and whatever else you want to call this music is the German label’s specialty. Few labels manage to hit the right chord under such a diverse range of sound.
Over thirty days. More than a month. It’s the longest time I’ve ever had to wait for records to arrive, but thankfully they did. Just before Christmas Genetic Music sent me their latest material. I’ve been waiting patiently, well if you can call numerous visits to the post depot as patient, for their arrival. And finally, after thirty plus days, they did. Inside were Daybed and their new EP Preludes, Television Set with Consumer Price Index and a split 7” featuring Umrijeti Za Strojem and Neither/Nor.
[Listen] Daybed have been making a few ripples in the minimal synth scene. Preludes comes on on Genetic’s pioneering sub-label No Emb Blanc. Daybed are the duo of Carla Marschall (vocals, lyrics) from the US and Tim Farland (vocals,lyrics, music) from New Zealand. Both find themselves residents of Berlin, not a bad place for a synth pop pair. Daybed have performed a number of live shows of late, with more lined up (sharing stage with Sudeten Creche soon.) But, back to the record. The EP contains five tracks of 80’s inspired synth pop. Think the likes of Xeno and Oaklander and you’re getting on the right lines. The 12” opens with “Lack of Light.” Addictive electro pop pours from the record. Synthesizer shoegaze with Marschall lending somber vocals to the mix. “Gonna Get Ya” follows in down a similar path, with a bit of Debbie Harry coming through. “Journey” sees a much more subdued note enter into the EP, building in broad analogue chords with sweet lyrics pirouetting around the vintage undercurrents. Strings arrive with “At the Station.” The chords have a decent portion of Joy Division to them, with a contemporary twist of Frank (just Frank) for this indie love piece. Daybed’s first steps finish with “Girl Help Me,” a staccato piece to round off this duo’s seminal start.
[Listen] Roger Semsroth is an amazingly versatile artist. Perhaps best known for his deep techno with Sleeparchive, Semsroth has inhabited a number of aliases. He is part of Bakterielle Infektion, the duo producing a synth laden minimal pop sound. During my younger days I loved the plinky computer inspired sound, and still do. Another moniker of Semsroth’s is Tevevision Set, and it is under this appellation that the Consumer Price Index 7” has arrived. The title piece is not the Commodore inspired sound of Skanfrom, but the darker side or synthwork in the tone of B.I. “Newport Pan Lane ” is a generous blend of computer music with a warm bassline. Both could easily slide their way into a well thought minimal symth mix. Two excellent pieces from one of the most talented artists in the electronic scene.
[Listen] With this Genetic have a second 7” for your turntable. It seems like former Yugoslavia is beginning to give up its minimal synth jewels of the past. After the fresh re-issue of Borghesia on Dark Entries comes Genetic with a split of obscure Eastern European electro pop acts. Umrijeti Za Strojem and Neither/Nor are two side of the same coin, both being aliases of the same group. First up is Umrijeti Za Strojem and “Strana A.” The track is a pumping piece of dark EBM, with abrasive vocals digging into synth and string. Next for the synth enthusiast is Neither/Nor with “Against.” The track is a superb deep piece minimal synth. All is parred away with vocals breathed over machine beats and gentle chords; similar in vein to the likes of Victrola or Vita Noctis.
Genetic Music is a quietly prolific label. Alongside two great 7”s comes a new act for the burgeoning No Emb Blanc. Minimal electropop, EBM, synth wave and whatever else you want to call this music is the German label’s specialty. Few labels manage to hit the right chord under such a diverse range of sound. Genetic have been hitting the right targets for more than ten years, consistently, and now they have a sub-label. A real treasure trove for the minimal synth zealot. More please…
All releases above are out now on Genetic Music & No Emb Blanc.
