Emmett Brown - Weird Science

Dark synth and synthwave enthusiast Emmett Brown has been in business since 2016. Their debut album, "Manic", showed a love for 80s horror movies with a cover art that included a "Be Kind, Please Rewind" sticker on it. Oh, Blockbuster, how I miss you. This seven track release garnered Brown quite a following with many synthwave fans flocking to it. Towards the end of the year, their second EP "VOID" was released. Once again, synthwave fanatics ate up the seven track release, and the sentiment didn't change when they put out "The Beast From Beneath". Their only single to date, 'Holdin' Back (feat. Sunesis)' was ousted in 2021, having a brighter, synthpop tone to it. The wonderful folks over at Lazerdiscs Records took note of Brown's achievements and possibilities. That being said, Emmett Brown has announced his new album "Weird Science" to be released via the record label. 



Obviously, the title of the album is inspired by the 80s movie of the same name. However, if you're reading this review hoping to see comparisons between it and the comedy, you will find none. I've never seen it myself but that doesn't mean that I can't appreciate good music. Thus the album begins off with an introductory track simply called 'Intro'. Rain, thunder, bleeps from an archaic computer, and bubbling vials all make up the cinematic track. With a deep synth line thrown in, 'Intro' sets a dark mood for "Weird Science". '88' comes in next and provides a mile-a-minute beat. Glitchy breaks are abound in this dance filled track. Around the one-minute and thirty-eight second mark, all gets quiet so a bit of piano can roll through. Of course, that doesn't last long as I blast back into the meat of the track. Well done. 

The spooky vibes continue with 'Cobwebs'; it fills my ears with synthetic scores suited for the most wonderful season of the year, Halloween. Witches' chants kick off 'Watts Up' before I am thrown into a cauldron of gritty electronic beats and kicks. Both Jonn Konstantine and Sequencer collaborate with Emmet Brown on the track 'Synthetic Horror'. While it was hard for me to spot a difference in production with the two added names, 'Synthetic Horror' is nonetheless another banger on the album. An unholy array of noise awaits in 'Death Becomes You' which, once again, made me think of Halloween. 

While electronics maintain wonderfully on 'Collider', it's the metallic guitar sound from Deaths Gate that brings the song to life. It adds a rougher edge to the song. Sunesis also makes an appearance on the song as a background vocalist, and their contribution gave a lighter touch to the otherwise heavy song. The last track 'Heavy Metals' is another collaboration with Deaths Gates. I think the title of the track explains itself well enough; it's filled with wicked guitar and pumping drums, backed by Emmett Brown's pulsating electronics. Well done. 

While any references (if there are any aside from the title and cover art) of "Weird Science" to its 80s movie counterpart are lost on me, this eight track album has managed to impress me quite a bit. While it's out in just a few weeks on June 18th, part of me wishes that the album would be released in October as the themes, sounds, and production remind me of that time of the year oh-so much. The songs produced by Emmett Brown alone are amazing, and his collaborations with Jonn Konstantine, Sequencer, and Sunesis are all swell. My favorite of the bunch comes at the very end with 'Heavy Metals', as I believe both Deaths Gate and Emmett Brown paired their hardest works together for a brutal finisher. For fans of dark synth, heavy electronics, and metal, "Weird Science" is an album that I suggest you don't miss. Seven-and-a-half out of ten! 

This review was commissioned through our Ko-fi page.
Jun 01 2021