Mondträume - Empty

With Empty, Mondträume (Spanish dark synthpop upstarts Pikotto Vond Mond and Damasius Venys) have created a versatile collection of masterful dark synthpop tracks. Although a fairly new act, Mondtraume have already proven to be a powerful creative team, showing a natural musical cohesiveness and flair.

For any new artist, a strong debut album is probably the most important point on the agenda, and Mondträume certainly succeeded in delivering the goods with Empty. This record sees the duo take a sharp and modern approach to producing new sounds, and in regards to song structures, Empty retains a formula of simplicity that makes great synthpop records work.

The majority of tracks on Empty are both highly deanceable and infused with emotive energy, carried by varying tempos and uncomplicated synthpop elements. Great use is made of arpeggiated bass lines and soaring synths which, blended with the echoing vocal lines, make Emtpy beam with dark romanticism and affective imagery. Damasius's light, emotive singing dominates the record and harsh vocals make an occasional appearance.

The successful single Life is Short kicks off the album and sets the overriding tone for the rest of the record - that sweeping, lovesick vibe that elicits a tide of bittersweet emotion brought on by beautiful, addictive melodies. Dark ballad and title track Empty showcases Damasius's rich, breathy baritone, while Psychodrug and Echoes of the Past are made for the dancefloor and are sure to become persistent club hits.

Empty is an enchanting and delectable debut, and one that firmly positions Mondträume among the synthpop heavyweights and makes them an act to watch.
Aug 17 2014