A riveting display in gloomy, retro-futuristic darkwave and synth-pop, SINS LIES AND DEVOTION is the gripping new album from Mexico City-based producer Alexy Trip. The self-produced record seamlessly binds analog warmth to melancholic, 80s-inspired atmospheres, delivering a spellbindingly cold yet vulnerable nocturnal listening experience.
Opening the album, “SINS” is exemplary of the record’s mixture of immersive soundscapes and hooky, melodic infectiousness. Clanging, vintage synth tones exude a chilly, ominous intrigue, then shifting to a more playful array of vocal pads, bouncy rhythms, and arp-y synth allure. “When the night falls down,” the vocals open, matching the overall nocturnal mood, reminiscent of Depeche Mode and OMD in its moody vocal precision and balance of light/dark electronic elements. A roaring guitar presence around midpoint takes it to another aesthetical realm entirely, infusing a delectably anthemic rock element within the darkwave atmospherics.
The album continues to impress in fantastic songwriting and production past this enveloping opener. Among the many highlights, “HERE COMES THE RAIN” stirs in its melding of pulsing post-punk bass maneuvers and chiming bell-like tones, both expanding seamlessly into chirpy, synthwave-friendly effervescence. The vocals move in cohesively after this magnetic introduction, compelling with a nonchalant delivery that builds with savvy momentum into the brighter synth elements. “Here comes the rain, here goes the dark,” the vocals let out there, inducing replays, and sounding as if MGMT embraced the darker spectrum more. Elsewhere, “LIES” also struts a post-punk rhythm edge, quickly accompanied by lush vocal pads and electric guitar ardor; the track strikes a lovely balance between darkwave, post-punk, and rock, with the “starting to forget your touch” vocal intensity furthering the impactful mix. SINS LIES AND DEVOTION is a fantastic full-length showing from Alexy Trip.
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“HERE COMES THE RAIN” and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.
We discovered this release via MusoSoup.
