It probably hasn’t been since Donnie Darko (2001) made Echo and the Bunnymen cool to a whole new generation of listeners that their particularly dark brand of darkwave has been en vogue. But in recent years, labels like Felte and Dais Records and their artists—SRSQ, Odonis Odonis, Drab Majesty—have reinvigorated the genre with a focus on industrial, pulsing beats.
Ritual Howls is arguably Detroit’s biggest contribution to the scene, and “Alone Together,” the first cut from their recently announced Rendered Armor, exhibits the trio’s natural cinematic approach to the genre. Embracing the eeriest elements of the Darko soundtrack, though, the group feels nearly as comfortable pulling from Westerns, with Paul Bancell’s deserted landscape–sprawling guitar matching the bold presence of Chris Samuels’ synths and programmed drums and Ben Saginaw’s thumping bass. It’s a unique blend, but their chemistry is undeniable.
Rendered Armor is out March 22 on Felte.
