Dark Pop/Electronic Rock duo Corlyx from Berlin, Germany have just digitally released their highly anticipated debut album "Music 2F2".
With the success of their first EP "One Of Us" debuting on BBC Radio the pair have pulled from their love of 90's Rock and Dark Electronica with “Music 2F2” creating a sound they like to call Dark Pop.
"Genre's are difficult when you have rock arrangements, distorted guitars, hip hop beats and wobbling dark synths all topped off with melodic female vocals, how do you categorize this? I am almost at the point of demanding a Genre Fluid movement inspired by our efforts at putting this eclectic music in a box" - says singer/producer Caitlin Stokes
Coming from an Alternative Rock background Producer/Instrumentalist Brandon Ashley brings the heavy darker energy to the project with his previous Goth Rock band Brandon Ashley And The Silverbugs who opened for Iron Maiden in 2009 and currently fronts the band The Dark who toured along side Peter Murphy, Orgy, Static X, Wednesday 13 and many more. Brandon calls Corlyx the feminine side of himself and thoroughly enjoyed experimenting with danceable beats and Pop vocals.
"I have these highly fuzzed out guitar riffs I am trying to blend with these bright soft vocals, it was my biggest challenge to mix these elements, I really had no reference to pull from, we had to just keep going back and fourth treating each track completely unique to itself. I think in the end there is something for everyone on this album and it definitely showcases the feminine side of myself I have always wanted to express”
Aside from blending different genres the album concept is an expression of singer songwriter Caitlin Stokes struggles through life and love, and societal issues. The album track Pretty addresses current beauty standards and the pressure women face to achieve this, while album track Mountain City is about the destruction of land and life suffered by indigenous people of the world. Changing the vibe of the album track by track the song Sensual Violence punches in with a twist on female power and sensuality, how it can warp the psyche of her lovers into an agonizingly beautiful downward spiral of obsession. Corlyx wants their current fans and future fans to keep an open mind when it comes to styles of music promising “Music 2F2” has brought back the spirit of the 90’s, pulling from their biggest influences; NIN, Portishead, Garbage, blending them with their current inspirations; TheXX, IamX, Big Black Delta, and Alice Glass.
Our track by track album review:
Following from their EP One of Us released in 2016, Corlyx have stood by their signature sound of ‘Dark Pop’ and delivered with new album Music 2F2.
Starting off Music 2F2 is Tragic Mistakes which leads the you back into their world, with the intoxicating mix of rock and the electronic. The perfect song to kickstart the track list, it is reminiscent of Depeche Mode and could easily be found on Black Celebration.
Next up is You Changed Me, the vocals with the production are wonderfully eerie, the kind of song you can get lost in as well. ‘Like an angel you came to me’ and ‘such a pretty mess’ are lyrics that stuck out and an addictive song too.
Sensual Violence is the third track, and may remind you of Marilyn Manson if he was to go down the more electronic route. It’s heavy beat compliments the vocals of both Brandon and Caitlin and you will be hitting that repeat button for sure.
Listen to My Love has just the same effect. Though a slower tempo compared to Sensual Violence, this helps the listener experience a variety of sounds in the album and the addition of Guitar distortion is 10/10.
Mountain City (the longest play length at 5:18) has a very 80s feel, and upbeat. You can certainly visualise playing this song cruising on a night drive in a Car. Nine Inch Nails influence is strong here with their ambient/electronic style as it can be imagined something that they recorded.
Gone has a heady blend of dreamy melodies and a rocking accompaniment for its main chorus section, again switching up the composition that could take the listener by surprise – but by no means a bad thing. Even though Gone is the shortest in length at 2:59, but there is no disappoint to be said about this because the song delivers everything and doesn’t lack at all. No criticism here.
Where Did She Go helps continue with the flow of the track listing and another fabulous tune by Corlyx. Certain electronic instrumentals remind very much of Kraftwerk’s The Robots.
Pretty has a brilliant drum section in the background. The chorus is very catchy, leaving ‘Am I still pretty?’ stuck in your head as well.
Toxic Bones (like Mountain City) is another example of how the duo have been hugely impacted by NIN also living up to their ‘dark pop’ label.
Closing the album is I Need You, faultlessly placed, winding down a glorious journey of sensual lyrics and taking you to another dimension courtesy of Corlyx.
All are standout songs but particularly Mountain City, Where Did She Go and Tragic Mistakes. The selection showcases why they cannot be labelled as one genre. This album is highly recommended to anyone who would like to experience new sounds and take a dive into the world of ‘dark electronica’.
You can listen to Music F2F on Spotify: https://goo.gl/xRLjwC BandCamp : https://corlyx.bandcamp.com/releases iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/de/album/music-2-f-2/1331328394?l=en
Corlyx have many surprises lined up for the next coming months, surprise covers, collaborations, music videos along with a European summer support tour for “Music 2F2”. Check out their website and social media channels for more info and stay tuned.
Office website http://www.corlyxofficial.com
Instagram http://www.instagram.com/CORLYX_OFFICIAL
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Swee Lee O'Gorman
140 Music Promo
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