PALINDRONES’ Electronic Epic Saga
Written by Vero Kitsuné
UK-based synthpop and electronica duo, PALINDRONES, just unveiled their latest long play, “Chapter 2: The Slender Blade,” part of a continuous, esoteric-themed electronic saga. Before we get into “Chapter 2: The Slender Blade,” let’s first revisit “Chapter 1: With Fearful Velocity” where it all began - a mythical science fiction tale centering around humankind’s first contact with extraterrestrial life.
“Ch 1: With Fearful Velocity” beautifully meshes various ambient, electronica, EBM, darkwave and synthpop treatments. The opening track “Escape Velocity” starts off atmospheric and epic with bits of spoken word art before breaking into drum and bass sections. Then we have more of the traditional synthpop tracks like “Coma Berenices,” carrying some tasteful, lush and catchy vocal melodies with sensitive, hopeful and doe-eyed delivery by singer Karen Bell - a particular signature sound we encounter through their works. The record carries on into a very infectious trance-like segment in “Anima,” with Karen’s soaring yet delicate vocals intertwining with the pulsating, driving beats that transport listeners to liminal spaces. I’m particularly fond of the type of feeling this track evokes - it brings me back to the mid-2000s London club vibes of my youth.
Chapter 1 takes a brief repose with atmospheric ballads like “Leviathan” and “Lemuria” - two tracks that give nod to the great legends of the ancient past and mythologies long gone, but with narratives served in a very polished and modern electric soundscapes. The record escalates back into a clubby, pumping pace surging with fast saw basses in “Samadhi” before relaxing into the dream-like drama of “Sakura” - the record’s finale that begins very ambient-like before breaking into trip hop segments reminiscent of Massive Attack.
The following LP, “Ch 2: The Slender Blade” continues the profound meshes of various synth, techno and electronic treatments with the mythological story-telling, but we are seeing a bit more polished elevation in their overall production, and more advanced and sophisticated songwriting. The stunning intro “Sunspot” harkens cinematic scores before brilliantly dropping into the rapid-firing bass arps, majestic pads and crystalline bell-laden of “Kryne Lamiya,” carrying harmonious and infectious duet vocals of both Karen and Jamie. “Abraxas” continues the drum and bass motif against ambient soundspaces from the previous record, but this time topped with soaring vocals, while “Azatoth” incorporates some distorted spoken (or rather, shouted) words against erratic, countering poly beats and beautiful synth drones weaving in and out of space.
Then we enter “The Dark Forest” and “The Light Forest” - the wondrous twin tracks meant to be experienced together. “The Dark Forest” starts off deeply immersed in atmospheric drama, with some lush drones and brassy synth pads reminiscent of the great Vangelis. Despite of the title, the composition evokes hope as though light breaking through the dense dark forest, before fully emerging into the brightness of “The Light Forest” - one of the most vibrant yet tender tracks in the record, with spirited vocal performances shimmering with optimism.
“Sùil Nan Diathan” enters and ushers listeners into a magical portal with its cinematic, dark and mysterious ambient composition. We first experienced this track last year as a Winter Solstice offering, complete with a stunning storybook visuals about two travelers in the midst of a post-apocalyptic tundra, under the watch of the Eldritch gods. To experience it once again in context of this record is quite a treat.
Chapter 2 concludes with the trance-like, clubby, pulsating beats of “Animus” and “Resonance Factor” - both with marked with the duo’s infectious, bright vocal performances carrying buoyant and hopeful qualities against sweeping synths that altogether give just a touch of new millennia club nostalgia.
Both concept LPs by Palindrones are shaped not only by their extraordinary ability to mesh different electronic genres together, but their ability to present depth in concepts and story-telling filtered through modern and yet familiar sounds. It’s a clever mix of the esoteric, the nostalgic and the futuristic, balancing both dark and light aspects with messages of hope and positivity, while transporting audiences to otherworldly spaces as well as the club halls of their youth.
In a world hampered by playlist culture, Palindrones’ Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 records are a pleasant and generous reminder of the importance and relevance of experiential long plays created with elevated concepts filled with not only bangers, but also with thought-provoking, immersive pieces. Each record on its own is a complete experience, but combined together, they are an epic electronic saga like no other.
For more Palindrones, visit https://palindronesofficial.bandcamp.com/
