For electronic zealots Sheffield is the bastion of UK Techno, Warp Records and Bleep. But, before the town went purple and TDR there was a decent synth wave and punk scene. UV PØP are monuments of this tradition, somewhat lost artifacts. Rock and electronic sounds melt into a Northern Indie stew. Genetic sidestepping some of their usual material to explore other sounds.
I’ve been listening to Genetic Music since I was a kid, in secondary school anyway. It’s a label that has focussed on analogue sounds, refurbished electro pop with the likes of Bakterielle Infektion or re-issued minimal synth gold like Guerre Froide and Twilight Ritual. From time to time the German label sidelines the synths for some post punk musings. The recent compilation of 80s UV PØP material is a prime example.
UV PØP are a Sheffield based group, active up until the mid 90’s. Indie punk laced with a synth wave edge could describe these post industrialists. For the compilation, Genetic have taken an album and EP, from 1986 and ’85 respectively. “Music To Yeah To” opens and an uncertain punk slant enters. The track, heavy with vocals, is deep and lonesome. This could be a way to describe the group’s sound. There is something of Morrissey in the lyrics, with the instruments adopting and adapting the set up of a punk outfit. Strings often supersede synths, as in “Feels Like Winter,” which ruminates with the sounds of early Factory Records or 4AD. Seemingly from nowhere arrives a piece of electronica. “Dots” uses conventional instruments, guitar and bass, before weaving a synthesizer chord through the track. Little short gem. There is a solemnity in the lyrics, a downtrodden acceptance. An Indie streak runs through the album, bobbing on the surface across the entirety. The EP, Anyone For Me, occupies the latter half of the CD. The ’85 EP seems to have more experimentation to it, the group blending more divergent sounds to produce their music. The early synth pop sound of “China Beat,” with its squabbling samples and industrial currents, tests the waters. The paranoia of “At War” before the abstract poetry of “Incandescent Archetypes” arrives. To end there is a double feature. “No songs Tomorrow (Live On Radio Hilversum),” penetrates with harsh wet beats and aching vocals. A modern version of the track finises the assortment.
For electronic zealots Sheffield is the bastion of UK Techno, Warp Records and Bleep. But, before the town went purple and TDR there was a decent synth wave and punk scene. UV PØP are monuments of this tradition, somewhat lost artifacts. Rock and electronic sounds melt into a Northern Indie stew. Genetic sidestepping some of their usual material to explore other sounds.
Anyone for Me / Bendy Baby Man is available on Genetic Music. Buy at Genetic Music.
[audio:http://igloomag.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/white-on-white_GEN036.mp3|titles=”White On White”]
[audio:http://igloomag.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/feels-like-winter_GEN036.mp3|titles=”Feels Like Winter”]
