The Gothenburg Death Dance Duo is back. I had to double check because the last time we had them in NMC (January 2022) with a track from the EP ‘KRIS’ they said that EP was the first in a series of three which “represent the three stages of the apocalypse: chaos, silence and the new world.”
I must have missed an EP somewhere along the way because ‘Greasy Makeup’ is being billed as from the concluding one in the apocalyptic trilogy.
Let’s assume I got that right, so this one represents the new world, the previous two having dealt with chaos and silence.
The new world sounds a sort of fun, if ordered, place to go, and the Mayflower Pilgrims thought so, except when you imagine the likes of Klaus Schwab, George Soros and Bill Gates swanning about all over it. Incidentally they’ve located this final section in their home city of Gothenburg, calling it the ‘doomsday city’ and clearly referencing Gotham City.
There’s some deliberate confusion introduced as to what the title refers to. Does it allude to faces painted for battle, a la Genesis in ‘Suppers Ready’ or just what one sees staring back from a mirror in the doomsday city?
Taking this all a stage further and paraphrasing Winston Churchill they say, “This is the beginning of the end of the beginning. We are living in a time where it feels like the world has abandoned us. I mean, us humans. Everyone reacts differently to being abandoned; some arm themselves for battle, while others go out in the rain and let tears run down their cheeks. Whichever you prefer, we recommend that you do it to the sounds of ‘Greasy Makeup’ “
I might have likened KÅRP to Highasakite previously and the way the song opens in particular has some similarities with the big synth pad sound of the Norwegians. Except that on this occasion it is supported before long by that riff that pervades Arcade Fire’s ‘Sprawl II – Mountains beyond Mountains; the second time I’ve ‘heard it’ in a week. Of course it’s no more than coincidence in both cases but the juxtaposition of those melodies works wonders in creating a danceable track straight from the beginning.
Then there’s the vocalist, Anna – Maria, whose ethereal whisper then banshee-like screech here fits perfectly the mood and lyricism.
All of which makes it all the more remarkable that you can dance to it, too; unrestricted and unrestrained.
They say, “Fans will recognise themselves in it” which I thought to be slightly contrived until I’d listened to it a couple of time. The way you react to it will tell you much about yourself.
‘Greasy Makeup’ is out on 2nd June.
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