Dark Entries has enjoyed a meteoric rise, and rightfully so. With Josh Cheon at the helm a veritable horde of lost music has been reclaimed. The label has scanned the globe, focusing on the Western sounds of 80’s synth wave and post-punk. As it celebrates its nineteenth and twentieth releases, Dark Entries returns to the familiar terra-firma of continental Europe; firstly to Norway for System Lilliput and then on to Spain for Europa.
[Release page] System Lilliput released one cassette back in 1984. The Norwegian artist was found by DE on YouTube, with Harpa now available on vinyl. “Dans Til Gunvor” sees System Lilliput bring strings and synths together for a fledgling piece of new wave. Polyphonic synths are accompanied by guitars and a punk edge. The title track aches with destitute lyrics. The tested new wave formula is put into practice, oppressed vocals paralleled by almost cheerful melodies. System Lilliput offers an honest and simple sound, one that is stripped of pretense. “Gatelangs” features dry and distant vocals alongside desolate sounds. An abandoned and self effacing piece. Synths return for “Strandshow,” a wonderfully handmade piece of early new wave pop. System Lilliput adheres to no one sound, but blends together influences as many new wave pioneers did. Pop arrives alongside isolation, strings beside synth, traditional against experimental. English lyrics find their way onto Harpa in the form of “The Letter.” The track is achingly light but dripping with melancholy. A solid piece of 80’s indie. The Anglo influence is maintained for the ultimate piece, “Waiting in the Grass.” A deeply distressed and sorrow ridden end to an emotive LP.
Spain has never been particularly well represented in terms of electronic music. But don’t be fooled, some serious gems came from Iberia. Europa, later renamed Última Emoción, are one of them. Dark Entries have resuscitated this Spanish group alongside their début LP, La Última Emoción!. “Introduccion” is the first taste of what this group can do, instrumental synthesizer gold cascading from speakers. From the opener it is obvious, this LP is going to be a work of fast paced new wave analogue action. “Sentir Tu Cuerpo” drives forth with vocals and a criminally catchy synth line. Angst running parallel to synth pop addiction. Europa expertly toe the lines of sombre uncertainty and electric elation. Chords spiral along snappy snares for the title piece “La Última Emoción,” a mix of Spanish sunshine and Iberian industrial dispute. Vintage machines are used to create upbeat melodies juxtaposed by deep and distant vocals for “El Misterio De Los Tomates Electricos.” Europa follow in the steps of other Spanish techno-pop outfits like Vocoder. The tracks have a tactile D.I.Y. quality, giving them a rawness that works nicely alongside the poppier melodies. “Europa” brings the LP to a close, passionate lyrics and arpeggiated melodies playing out this amazing piece of synth pop.
These two releases mark not only a great achievement for the San Francisco label, but represent the two sides of the Dark Entries’ coin. System Lilliput are of that burgeoning new wave scene, evolving from guitars and rock into the exciting world of new wave. Europa are pure synth pop, brutally addictive hooks, fast snappy beats and surging vocals. Twenty releases is a milestone for a label. Dark Entries have not just released twenty records, they have excavated, unearthed and revived some twenty top quality pieces. As ever, Dark Entries continues to trail-blaze.
Both releases are out now on Dark Entries. [Release page]
[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/playlists/995320″ params=”show_comments=true&auto_play=false&show_playcount=true&show_artwork=true&color=3e3e3e” width=”100%” height=”305″ ]
[soundcloud url=”http://api.soundcloud.com/playlists/995372″ params=”show_comments=true&auto_play=false&show_playcount=true&show_artwork=true&color=3e3e3e” width=”100%” height=”245″ ]
