(August 2010) To join Minimal Wave and Wierd Records is a new imprint from Brooklyn: Blind Prophet Records. The label has been established by Sean Ragon of Cult Of Youth. The label looks to release “pop orientated music with content.” It’s an interesting mission statement. To try and accomplish this a 7″ by Void Vision has recently been released, and no this has nothing to do with Cyber People.
Void Vision are a Philidelphia outfit, following in the footsteps of the likes of Experimental Products. This 7″ is their debut release. The two tracker, entitled “In 20 Years” opens with the title piece. A synth heavy piece with a fast paced beat and cascading vocals. The track oozes electro pop, uplifting and hypnotic with just the right balance of elation and macabre. The flip-side features “Black And White .” The track has a similar analogue addictiveness to it, perpetrated by a Korg MS20 or SH101. The female vocals blend warmth with a frigidity alongside a synth pop melody. The group are much more “pop orientated” than cold wave, but there is just the right blend of minimal synth in here to ensure that saccharine levels are but a trace.
There seems to be something in the water around Brooklyn when it comes to synth pop and new wave, both in production and sourcing talent. Void Vision have a youthful sound, one full of energy and drive synced with a vintage analogue backdrop. The group have played at the Wierd parties in Brooklyn, and were set for an LP on the pioneering imprint. But, shortly after the 7″‘s release, Void Vision returned to a solo project with Hayden leaving to start Dream Affair while Shari has continued to pursue Void Vision. Whether the album is still to be released I can’t say. Does this mean that In 20 Years will, in twenty years, be an obscure synth 7″ of a lost NYC group? Who knows. Hopefully not. But if the twosome are to go it alone both are definitely worth keeping an eye on. Blind Prophet will soon be expanding its catalogue with a full length album by Art Abscons. If the label can continue with the quality displayed by Void Vision the future looks bright, in a dark minimal synth way of course.
In 20 Years is out now on Blind Prophet.
