If it’s your first time hearing Brighter Than a Thousand Suns then I think you’re going to find your favorite new synthpop-goth-glam addiction. Clad in black leather and spikes, it looks like they’ve transported right out of Escape From New York’s theaters right into our pocket dimension. This isn’t my first rodeo with the band as I’ve been following them ever since I discovered their album Atavism. Even gave them a review back then before the Wipeout happened on the site and compared them to something along the lines of a modern age Janet Jackson a la Rhythm Nation. To say the very least I was highly impressed with what they did at the time.
It was just in the past week or so that I was notified of a new EP the magnificent duo released titled Film Noir. Naturally I ran right to it and swore that I would find the time to cover it this time around rather than letting it float in the ether to be forgotten by my brain. And here I am. This four-track slice of synthpop is a glamorous chunk of bright synths and moving beats.
The title track starts with a downward and gritty note before heading into a fun and funky beat. Quite the bop with an addictive rhythm built layer by layer; several samples are shoved into the song from reverb laden goth guitars to drips of electronic notes that sound like something off of a space ship. The vocals are as bright as the music is, having an equal and harmonious flow from start to finish. God For Hire continues that funky bass groove and phenomenal layering, complete with spasms of electric guitar to dance synths that’ll get any dancefloor moving.
The vibes move right into Incurious. More melodious than the previous two singles somewhat reminding me of something that would play on a world map screen of a beat’em’up as you’re choosing who or where you wanna punch something. Break Through the Noise perhaps has the most industrial influence on it, sounding off more mechanical and rough around the edges during the instrumental segments. This base is built upon by BTATS usual antics but it’s enough to make it different and fun and engaging.
Film Noir is a lovely collection of singles that are almost like a bridge connected to one another. Part of me wouldn’t mind seeing a megamix as one song flows into the next in a gigantic amalgamation of synthpop bliss. Wants aside, the EP is another solid showcase of the duo; true to themselves and continuing to carve a slice that’s exclusive and I don’t think I can find anywhere else.
