H.O.W. – A Different Kind Of Reality (EP – Alfa Matrix)
Genre/Influences: Dark electro-pop.
Format: Digital.
Background/Info: H.O.W. (Her Own World) is a Polish duo featuring the front man of Reactor 7x ‘Ad-X’ and female vocalist ‘Yu’. Some of you might have discovered this band on the latest issue of the famous 3endzeit Bunkertracks”-compilation series. Just like Reactor7x this duo got signed to Alfa Matrix to deliver their first official EP.
Content: The title song is the already familiar “Happiness Imperative”, which got featured on “Endzeit Bunkertracks”. It’s a dark electro song featuring a carrying lead and the sensual, somewhat ethereal timbre of Yu’s voice. This song sounds like the offspring between dark-electronics and dark-pop music. The other song “Stalker Girl” mixes the same ingredients, but still has a technoid touch on top.
Both songs have been remixed by several artists. Neikka RPM and Aesthetische, both label mates, are for sure the most familiar names from the list. Other remixes have been done by Inva//id, Jeremiah Kane, Switchface and Freaky Mind (known from some productions released by SkyQode).
+ + + : “Happiness Imperative” is a cool song and for sure the main song from this EP. It’s a cool mix between different influences, like a sonic yin and yang. At one side you get a darker, angry sound and at the other side a more refined and catchy one with sensual female vocals on top. Inva//id did a great remix, injecting some extra club vibes to the song. Neikka RPM did a great job as well, injecting its usual bombast and punch. The Aesthetische remix is also a noticeable one so in the end I should say “Happiness Imperative” is a good song and for sure inspiring for remixes.
– – – : “Stalker Girl” sounds a bit like the B-side song of the EP, but that’s not totally true. It’s a cool song as well, but the remixes are a bit disappointing here.
Conclusion: H.O.W. doesn’t bring that new, but this debut EP is however a promising production so I’m really looking forward to hearing more from this band.
Best songs: “Happiness Imperative – Inva//id Remix”, “Happiness Imperative”, “Stalker Girl”, “Happiness Imperative – Neika RPM Remix”.
Rate: (7½).
Artist: http://herownworld.eu / www.facebook.com/howherownworld
Label: www.alfa–matrix.com / www.facebook.com/Alfa.Matrix
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