Art Deko - Art Deko

Art Deko are a Synthpop /Futurepop duo from Tijuana, Mexico, consisting of Raul Astromix (producer and programing lyrics) and Alan Virus X (voice lyrics and programing). Apart from this I have very few details about this duo. I am making the assumption that this is a demo EP for review purposes. Although, I can say that they have been around since at least 2007 and I have found traces of at least 2 releases, and a very good remix of 'Dancing in the Dark' by State Of The Union by them. They list their influences as VNV Nation, Pride and Fall, Frozen Plasma among many others.

The first track is "Dark Way(dub mix)" and has from the beginning a very uplifting futurepop sound. A great synth melody and drum beat, that give it enough to make it also a dance track. Some beautiful sounds and some nice soft vocals to go with it. I had to listen several times before I could make a final decision on the vocals, but my final verdict was good and they grow on you. This is just such a lovely sound, and this track and other albums I have reviewed lately have really shown me how diverse and alive the synthpop/futurepop genres are today.

"Fallen Man (club mix)" has very much the same beautiful sound and vocals. A good structure and a focus on the good lyrics, all this makes for another good track for the club. The music and vocals combine to create a kind of synthpop heaven. This is warm, catchy and melodic. I hear so much in this from the 80s Visage and Ultravox, through to VNV Nation and particularly Frozen Plasma, and in my eyes you don't get much better than them.

Again "I Want You" has another great synth opening, and a good beat made predominantly by the synths also. About half way through this really breaks out in a memorable sound with the words 'I Want You One More Time' , enough to send shivers down your spine. I can only liken this to a point to the sound of Frozen Plasma, but at the same time this is a very individual melodic sound.

More is upbeat is our final track "We Can Live This Way". This is more pure futurepop and VNV Nation sounding but again there is enough variation for me to say its still very individual. It has a good dance beat and rhythm with its slight trance like sound, and another super melody. The vocalist also showing that he is able to change his style when required to do so.

Conclusion:
First thing I have to ask is why has Art Deko been hid away from me for so long? But I just love it when I find things like this, its only four tracks, but its four tracks of musical bliss. Hard to pick a highlight from this as I enjoyed all four tracks, but unlike me I will pick the quieter "I Want You", it could be because of the Frozen Plasma similarity, but I prefer to think its because its a beautiful song and sound. So now I look forward to hearing more from Art Deko and hopefully an album. How you can get a copy of this I will try to find out, but it's going straight on my playlist anyway. Aug 19 2012