Each track is substantially catchy, sometimes tripped-out, providing a great dose of original ideas and mesmeric feelings.
[Release page] Oksana Rodionova (Xiu) is a contemporary Estonian electronic musician and singer based in Italy (Milan). Her creative musical trajectory began a handful of years ago (notably thanks to many live stage acts). After a long training period through the standards of classical music (piano instrumental virtuosity, traditional vocal practices and live performances) and involvement in various musical ensembles, she progressively took an interest to innovative-multi-directional electronic instrumentation, also dealing with unconventional vocal techniques. At a first step, she essentially took her inspiration from the most synthy-80s inflected facet of electronic music: from cold waving / electro-pop realms (Kraftwerk, New Order et al), propulsive minimal synth standards (Linear Movement, Martial Canterel) and early industrialist electronic assaults (Cris & Cosey). Rapidly she deals with her own musical creativity, approaching a world of sounds and ambiences which deliberately took their origins in a very personal, versatile and moody electro-pop orchestration. She uses her manual instrumental skills to introduce subtle melodious passages and colorful harmonies to the more conventional and automatic synth pop ambiences.
Xiu’s musical signature is at the cross of vintage synth-pop school and classy melodious cinematic electronica. After a first self-published digital release (‘Dancing Voodoo’), she Signed her first official effort in late 2012 on the underground and uncompromising German label aufnahme + wiedergabe (notably known for the publication of Die Skeleton’s materials and other singular modern new waving-post punk tribes). In itself the music demonstrates superbly catchy synthscaping ambiences punctuated by coldly sensuous treated vocals. She promoted her work on stage with a notable live performance at Spazio concept (Dec—2012). Her new album is following the same musical path: eighties style minimal synth, languorously emotional vocals and lo-fi electro cinematic ambiences. This last effort is signed on Beläten (promising new label specialized in subversive darkly electro pop tendencies). She first introduced her new music to the public with two concerts in Switzerland at “La paranthèse” and at “Studio603.” A few live performances have also been recently planned to support the short-european tour of Frank Alpine. However and contrary to the previous offering, this new K7 reveals a more doom-waving / post-human feel, sometimes really majestic with enthralling goth-lugubrious moments.
Each track is substantially catchy, sometimes tripped-out, providing a great dose of original ideas and mesmeric feelings. “Mirror” is a stunning, almost religiously electronic lyrical piece. “Moonlight”, “Leaving in the night” and the self title track represent the highlight, re-inventing the genre with a unique combination of electro-minimal textures and echoing-enigmatic-exhaustively dark vocal parts. In a few words ‘Possession’ is a dense, colorfully dark and magnetic effort that will ravish fans of soloing works by Cosey Fani Tutti and passionate collectors in emblematic synth-pop classics.
Possession is available on Beläten. [Release page]
