Mental Exile – Exile Nights II (EP – Alfa Matrix)
Genre/Influences: Electro-pop, wave-pop.
Format: Digital.
Background/Info: Mondträume singer Damasius Venys moves on with his solo-project Mental Exile. After a successful EP “Exile Nights” and an accomplished debut album “Ride The Madness” he strikes back with the second volume of “Exile Nights” featuring four new songs plus two remixes.
Content: The global sound approach remains totally faithful to the sound of the album. This is electro-pop music with a look at the past; a retro-driven electro style, which is mainly created by the melody lines and some arrangements plus effects. “Quarantine” definitely appears to be the ultimate song in the genre, reminding me of New Order for some of the sound arrangements. The composition is mainly electronic, but still achieved with guitar play.
Remixes have been made by ES23 and Eisfabrik. We here get a song that was originally released at the debut EP (cf. “One Of Us”) remixed by ES23 and another track from the album (cf. “The Night Is Mine”) remixed by Eisfabrik.
+ + + : First of all there’s the voice of Damasius Venys who clearly is one of the most talented singers from this underground scene; not typically electro-pop like, but a powerful and charismatic timbre of voice that can be put on different styles. Next there’s the sound approach, which is clearly vintage-like and yet accomplished with a personal-, contemporary touch on top. I like this EP for featuring 4 brand-new songs and especially “Quarantine” is a true masterpiece for its melody, arrangements and danceable vibes. I also have to say a word about both remixes, which are adding a real bonus.
– – – : Two from the new songs (cf. “Streets On Fire” and “Stronger Than Time”) can’t totally convince, being more the B-side cuts of the EP. The melody lines are a little less repetitive here.
Conclusion: This EP is one more nice addition to the album, Mental Exile preferring to bring new songs instead of an endless number of remixes. I like this spirit, which also is pretty 80s like!
Best songs: “Quarantine”, “The Night Is Mine – Eisfabrik Remix”, “Out Of My Life”.
Rate: (7½).
Artist: www.facebook.com/mentalexileproject
Label: www.alfa-matrix.com / www.facebook.com/Alfa.Matrix
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