After last year’s Edge of the World, Leslie Irene and Jason got busy writing and recording new material. Their new album We Defy Oblivion was released a week ago.
We can clearly hear right from the start that they went harsher and rawer on this one. There is no holding back with either the music or the lyrics. Even though they have kept the synth pop basics, they have explored industrial sound even more. The blend of those two genres works out perfectly with Leslie Irene’s vocals. Irene is as direct in her vocal performance as the music and the lyrics. They leave little doubt about what they wanted to say with this release and the message is clear.
They open with “Deconstructing” where the industrial baseline and beat guide you to a very catchy chorus. They are direct and to the point even melodically. Harsh attitude is evident in every sense.
I was wondering if they would keep the tempo up and they did. However “Faithless” is just a bit more pop oriented track. But with the next one, “Don’t Cross Me”, they are back on the more aggressive note. It seems like someone made them angry. But what made them express this kind of rough attitude was what inspired them for writing such a material. By “Knock Us Down” you are sure they reflect upon the current political, societal and economic situation on the global scale. They have every right to speak openly as we all feel suppressed by the current worldwide events. And while we speak or contemplate about them at home, Leslie and Jason took the opportunity to speak about them loudly through their art. And the brutal honesty is there. “Knock Us Down” is as direct as it can be and the song contains the essence of the whole album.
By now you may be well aware that they don’t intend to slow down or become any softer. “Keep Turning Me On” is greatly empowered by the guitar riffs and industrial feel really kicks in. “Vices” have a bit of the NIN flavour and even though the tempo is slower, again, the guitar really adds the relentless feel to it. Great piece of work and although other tracks have more dance potential, I would like to hear this one on the dance floor the most.
But TSC are not focusing only on the world’s greatest issues. They express a lot of personal thoughts about life, love and other feelings that make us human. I would highlight “Nein Nein Nein” and “Unforgiven” as my favourites from the last four tracks. The first one shows once again what this album is all about: expressing without holding back. Flirting with German in the refrain gives it an extra touch and makes it more appealing to the European audience. Again a song whit the real dance floor hit potential. And finally they slow down with the last track, “Unforgiven”. The blend of synths and the guitar is so well balanced and I really enjoy hearing them intertwine.
Undoubtedly, this band is heading big and the album shows the path of their artistic evolution. If you’re a fan of industrial and synth music that speaks directly without any hidden agendas, We Defy Oblivion should be on your wish list.
