**Exploring the unferground Universe of Jugendstil's "Fenklup"**
London-based band Jugendstil has just unleashed their debut album, "Fenklup". Formed by the duo Tim Green and Daniel Hayes, the band's lineup expanded with the addition of French singer Eloïse Desrosiers and Dutch bass player Elke Hoekstra, whose haunting backing vocals add an eerie layer to the band's unmistakable sound.
The album's title, borrowed from a vintage Dutch TV show, sets the tone for an exploration that defies any attempt to define their influences.
"
Fenklup" is not merely a collection of tracks; it's a carefully crafted piece that required extensive time in the studio. The undeniable touch of a DIY and handmade process gives the album a unique character that sets it apart in the contemporary music scene.
(Daniel Hayes and Elke Hoekstra)
Jugendstil's sound is a blend of hypnotic rhythms, vintage electronic instruments, and Desrosiers' unique monotone vocals delivering lyrics in both English and French. This amalgamation creates a musical entity that looks like nothing else, with influences reaching across Krautrock, 60's French music, and post-rock.
Eloïse Desrosiers takes the helm as the lyricist, drawing inspiration from surrealism, situationism, and avant-garde authors. Her lyrics delve into societal critiques, exploring the urge to revolt against oppressive systems. However, Jugendstil adamantly resists being labeled a political band with protest songs; instead, they see themselves as an art object, a sentiment reinforced by the quality of the album's cover art, meticulously designed for vinyl collectors.
The album kicks off with a five-minute headbanger, "
Chambord Pogo", introducing Eloïse's voice after a hypnotic instrumental sequence of nearly four minutes. The standout track, "
Antisong 74", serves as the first single, addressing Jugendstil's recurrent theme—the struggle against alienation. "
Fragile Human Defenses" follows, exploring how we communicate to conceal imperfections in a world driven by image. Elke Hoekstra's serene harmonies provide a perfect falsetto counterpoint to Desrosiers' deep voice, creating a dynamic interplay.
(Tim Green and Eloïse Desrosiers)
"
Doo Dah Agitator" emphasizes the interaction between the two vocalists, while "
Monastic Static," an instrumental interlude with a hypnotic riff and retro sounds from a vintage mellotron. The title track, "
Fenklup," dives into Desrosiers' philosophical inclinations, exploring Cornélius Castoriadis's idea that the possibility of another society is an illusion, driven by our own ambitions.
The exploration of political and philosophical subjects continues with "
The Thinkin' and the Doin'" and "
Fractal Mind of a Crowd", sung in French and inspired by Gustave LeBon's "Psychology of a Crowd." The album concludes with the two Head Bangers "
Mothlight" (borrowing its title to a movie from avant-garde director Stan Brakhage), and "
Neon Pink Bike" where the listenner embark on a ride where freedom is just an illusion.
Jugendstil, signed to Head South Records, is not aiming for mainstream charts. Instead, they present themselves as a niche band, adept at mixing genres and possessing a strong musical and vocal identity with a huge load of diverse inspirations.
Listen to Antisong 74
**Tracklist:**1. Chambord Pogo
2. Antisong 74
3. Fragile Human Defenses
4. Doo-Dah Agitator
5. Monastic Static
6. Fenklup
7. The Thinkin' and the Doin'
8. Fractal Mind of a Crowd
9. Mothlight
10. Neon Pink Bike
Edited by user 12 March 2024 19:02:15(UTC)
| Reason: Not specified