New York-based artist Mortal Prophets envelops on his new EP, UNDER THE INFLUENCE — touting creative takes on classics from Elton John, Iggy Pop, David Bowie, Brian Eno, and Bush Tetras. Mortal Prophets, aka John Beckmann, fuses post-punk, art-rock, and shadowy electronics, transforming these familiar songs into cinematic, modern statements, balancing hypnotic rhythms, eerie synth textures, and crooning vocals with inventive, avant-garde flair.
A wonderful atmospheric contrast to the soaring pop-rock of Elton John’s original, Mortal Prophets’ “Tiny Dancer” traverses within a chilly, dark soundscape — weaving whirring industrial electronic tones and debonair vocals amidst a hypnotic rhythmic backing. A lethargic, glam-ready vocal quality maintains the original’s suaveness and confidence, though succeeding in another tonal realm entirely. A take on Brian Eno’s “Third Uncle” takes hold next, embracing an eerie post-punk styling that shows shades of Bauhaus’ cover, though with a chilly synth-laden twinkling that combines with Beckmann’s moody vocal presence for a lovely uniqueness.
The stylish appeal continues with “Sister Midnight,” channeling the Iggy Pop classic within a buzzy synth warmness and theatrical vocal escalation — complemented by sharp, arp-y synth maneuvers. A cover of Bowie’s “Repetition” ensues, a natural fit considering Beckmann’s naturally Bowie-esque croon; the atmospheric additions here, both unsettling and crystallized-feeling, add to the riveting vocal. “Too Many Creeps” concludes this excellent covers EP, captivating in its thumping, paranoid allure and paying a stellar nod to the original from no-wave act Bush Tetras. UNDER THE INFLUENCE is another delight from Mortal Prophets, who has caught our ears with a variety of past releases.
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We discovered this release via MusoSoup.
