No EMB Blanc bravely focuses on the new sounds emanating from burgeoning synthesizer acts. This belief in the contemporary side of Minimal Synth, of course with a retrograde side glance, has uncovered some seriously accomplished artistry.
Genetic Music has always had an eye for quality. The German imprint has scanned the past and explored the present to bring the very best in Minimal Synth and New Wave to the ears of those with an anti-disposition. Of late, it has been Genetic’s sister label No EMB Blanc that has been on releasing form. Maintaining this trend of top notch synth come two new names to the genre: Rossetti’s Compass and Blackie.
Rossetti’s Compass have been born in the wake of Mark Warner’s splitting from Sudeten Crèche. The title piece comes from the same place as the Sudeten Creche sound. Warner’s vocals have an unmistakable weight to them, the content crossing the lines between unrequited love and an absent remembrance as synths rumble across barren landscapes. Slow, lament-filled, chords introduce “In This Together” but it lacks the power of its predecessor. “In Your Hands” is a sullen piece of synth pop. Warner balances unhappiness with a lovelorn elation. That same guttural emotion runs into the finale, “Bleed.” A crooked and catchy synth line is laid down to parallel the toughened staccato lyrics for a fine finish.
Another new name to the No EMB Blanc roster are Germany based Blackie. The duo of Christian Wruck and Jan Büther cut their teeth with Morgen Über Uns. Measured and methodical machine music is the focal point from the outset. “Outset” is pared back and stripped down EBM. Neon street lights flash into eyeshot. The driving hammer of “Ich Und Du” pushes ever forward. Beats across the album are quick and mechanical. The speed race of “You Don’t Know What I Know” pierces past, taunting the listener with slender spikes of snare and synth. Across the record is a very perceptible threat of violence. Industrial undercurrents rumble, similar to ///TENSE///, but these murmurings suppressed by calmed German vocals. The storm is unleashed in a hail of apathy and distorted beats. “Suicide” keeps those vitriolic vocals alongside a coursing beat, a drum clap churned up into a gravelly rasp. But the dawn is finally allowed to illuminate this factory clad soundscape. “Kein Verkehr” sees beats removed and replaced by a reverberating bass. The light emitted is a cold, winter’s sunshine, and an emotive climax to an excellent debut outing.
No EMB Blanc bravely focuses on the new sounds emanating from burgeoning synthesizer acts. This belief in the contemporary side of Minimal Synth, of course with a retrograde side glance, has uncovered some seriously accomplished artistry. Rossetti’s Compass have the format and deliver some thought-provoking New Wave. Blackie come from a more reduced place, the duo dividing human sentiment from the cold stabs of the machinery. Ever more excellence coming from the No EMB Blanc camp.
Tear Garden and Morgen Über Uns are available on No EMB Blanc.
