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Ladytron Velocifero ReviewBritish Electro-Pop Follow up the Witching Hour with Ghosts & Noise
On their fourth studio release, Velocifero, Ladytron up the noise factor and exercise some of their Ghosts.
Ladytron release Velocifero, their follow up to The Witching Hour. Formed in Britain in 1998, DJ’s Daniel Hunt and Reuben Wu and vocalists Mira Aroyo and Helena Marnie, have created a sound that is icy yet hot, poppy but sardonic and melancholy. Their first album, 2001’s 604 was described by music critics as the sound of the future. Unfortunately the future never caught up with the band who, like the brilliantly talented singer Rosin Murphy, makes gleaming edgy electro-pop music that seems doomed to remain on the outskirts of popularity. On Velocifero, their 4th studio album, Ladytron continue their 80’s noise revival and rockier sound they began to experiment with on 2005’s The Witching Hour. This time around they add more noise with hints of 90’s era Depeche Mode, especially on lead track “Black Cat”. Deep Blue GhostsFirst single “Ghosts” contains all the elements of a great Ladytron track; hard electro beat with chilled vocals from Aroyo and Marnie and lyrics that sound both gleefully warm and seriously detached. “There’s a ghost in me/ wants to say I’m sorry/ doesn’t mean I’m sorry,” leading the listener to wonder what she truly feels. Like on every other record the band has released, Velocifero includes several tracks sung in Bulgarian, Aroyo’s native tongue, making the songs like “Black Cat” sound even more removed. Mixing 80’s New Wave with Noise Rock, besides “Ghosts”, the best cuts include “I’m Not Scared”, “They Gave You a Heart, They Gave You a Name”, “Deep Blue”, a high energy dance anthem seeped in deep synths, drums and buoyant strings as well as the thumping “Predict the Day” an urgent, haunting call for a second chance in life based around a muffled drum machine and distorted keyboards. Black Cat PredictsThe biggest problem with Velocifero stems from its overuse of the same analogue instruments that has shaped their sound since the beginning. While beautifully programmed and performed, the songs sound very Ladytron, but also very similar. The band built a reputation as a dark experimental band similar to Nine Inch Nails but, at least on this album, have become set in their ways. Usually upon first listen of an album, certain tracks stand out and eventually become playlist staples, on Velocifero, the entire album is polished and perfected but shockingly short on stand out cuts. While not the best Ladytron album, it’s a grower that takes a few listens to truly enjoy. While not a weak effort, it could have used a bit more muscle to flesh out the ghosts. Velocifero is available now on iTunes. Physical release for the album is scheduled for June 3.
The copyright of the article Ladytron Velocifero Review in Electronica (Music) is owned by James W. Coates. Permission to republish Ladytron Velocifero Review in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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