Impulse Control Disorder - The Reaching Out

Industrial project Impulse Control Disorder is the moniker of veteran multi-instrumentalist and producer Frank Svornotten. Having a history in projects such as Felix Frump and Psycho '78, Svornotten went on to buy a drum machine to keep practicing bass. He kept buying equipment until he realized he had enough machinery for a one-man-band. However, as another project he worked on, Bow Ever Down, gained steam, Svornotten decided to put down Impulse Control Disorder for the time being. Eventually, Svornotten bought a new computer with music producing software and learned to fall back in love with Impulse Control Disorder once more. 2021 sees the fruits of his labor with Impulse Control Disorder's first official release, and EP titled "The Reaching Out". 



The first song on the EP is 'Reaching Out', which has been mixed by Boog of the electro duo Junksista. What we're given in this song is a thumpy, four-on-the-floor club based synthpop beat. While Svornotten's vocals won't be melting hearts, he's able to follow the beat and rhythm of his music very well. He's energetic and inspired by the song, and that much can be heard. Svornotten takes complete control of the next three songs, starting with 'Get Out of my Light'. This industrial rock song is full of angst and anger, complete with guitar riffs and slapping industrial bass. 'Sleepy Silent Saturday' has a summer pop vibe to it with elements of post-punk attached. Despite the bright tone, it's a rather depressing song with lyrics such as "And my thoughts wander / to a better time / When the world was right and you were mine". The final original mix is an electro thumper ready for a club night titled 'Robot Sexy Time'. It's fun, bouncy, and makes me want to stomp my feet to the beat. 

Two remixes are attached to the EP. The first to appear is Zajah's remix of 'Reaching Out'. Zajah transforms the song into a futuristic electropop ballad. It's a fun, if not simple little number that gets the job done. Panic Lift also takes a stab at 'Reaching Out'. However, in obvious fashion, Panic Lift gives the song a harsher makeover. Bigger beats and bass and a tougher electro approach gives it a much more club friendly vibe. Well done. 

Impulse Control Disorder's first proper release, then, is quite a good one. While all of the songs are well enough, I feel as if the EP is missing that extra oomph that gives me goosebumps every time I hear it. The production is good, the beats are swell, but I also feel as if Impulse Control Disorder leans a bit much on tropes within the genre. Once Impulse Control Disorder finds his groove, plays around more, and experiments more, I feel as if he'll be looking at nothing but great things ahead. Seven out of ten! 

This review was commissioned through our Ko-fi page.
Jun 13 2021