Introducing "Volume," the electrifying new EP from none other than THE NAMES! Prepare to be swept away by four mesmerizing tracks that add another dynamic and eclectic chapter to their illustrious discography, just before the highly anticipated release of their upcoming studio album, "Encore!". Dixit record label, my point of view is different, just read it all underneath ...
Emerging from the iconic Factory Records label alongside the likes of JOY DIVISION and NEW ORDER, THE NAMES (BE) have solidified their place in music history. With a dedicated cult following and a sound that's as fresh as ever, they continue to captivate audiences worldwide.
Time for my review:
Far From The Factories has already been launched in the past with a clip and is perfect for retro lovers. Enjoy the lead guitar and synthesizer. Somehow the vocals sound sometimes like at the limit of (getting) out of tune, but hey even me as an ex cycler can say I’m not as sharp as when I was still 27 and managed to beat the best.
This is what the record company left us as a note about this song:
Kicking off with the beloved single "Far From The Factories", THE NAMES deliver their signature blend of introspective lyricism and atmospheric instrumentation. It's a sonic journey from the streets of Manchester to the avant-garde realm of Andy Warhol's New York City, all captured in an intimate video set against the backdrop of Belgium's industrial landscape.
Mort D’Amour has also a retro touch, but somehow sounds on vocals even worser. It’s pretty hard for my ears to sit it out until the end. Even the extra backings are not helping, it’s really painful.
Next up, "Mort D'Amour" takes us on a lyrical odyssey through the complexities of love, set to a mesmerizing blend of trip-hop beats and romantic melodies. It's a tale as old as time, echoing the timeless tragedies of Romeo & Juliet and Tristan & Isolde.
Watching For The New World sounds according my daughter as if it was me singing. The music is ok, but they really should find another singer. Wandering what the album will sound like (maybe there’s some time to safe it?). The more I listen to it the more it sounds like a band who played far too long and is looking forward to end it.
"Watching For The New World" follows suit with its catchy hooks and cinematic grooves, offering a tantalizing glimpse into a future that may not be as bright as it seems.
“This song though was written and played without using any illegal drugs or substances”, adds Michel with a big smile on his face…
Laudanum starts softly with only vocals and a piano. It’s basically the best track on this album (and it the differs the most from the other tracks). It sounds a bit like Who Killed Mister Moonlight from Bauhaus.
And just when you think you've heard it all, THE NAMES surprise us with "Laudanum", something completely different (but not too much?), a hauntingly beautiful piano/voice composition that delves into the mysteries of art and literature, narrating mesmerizing explorations of the impact of mind-altering substances on creativity, the whole underscored by Michel Sordinia's unmistakable vocals.
Well to make it clear: the promo chat is put in Bold, like this you read the difference between what I wrote and think about it and what’s the selling point from the record company. I fear for what will become the new album, so far except for one song it’s all flushed away money. Better stop in time and leave it all in the past and don’t try to play with the big boys …
Check for yourself:
Volume EP | The Names (bandcamp.com)
