Demonstration, The

Darkwave. Sophomore album from Deb DeMure, the goth alias of Andrew Clinco who also plays drums in Marriages (amazing band). Deb makes what he calls “mid-fi tragic wave”, and his creative process involves relinquishing control of his body to a divine influence to receive his ideas. His music is characterized by glowing synths and drum machines, and deals with notions of death and transcendence. I found this record much more consistent than the first record, and you really can’t go wrong with any track.

Related: Cold Cave, Sisters of Mercy, Dais Records/LA goths

1. (0:59) Induction—Steadily building synthscape that leads into the next track. Play together.
2. (5:27) *** Dot in the Sky—Propulsive, uplifting, with a powerful chorus.
3. (5:00) *** 39 by Design—Bit more somber, with blurred vocals that let the synths and hissing electronic noises stand out.
4. (6:03) *** Not Just a Name—Melancholy, yearning vocals and more muted synths. Gets into something more driving towards the end.
5. (2:45) Hath No Form—Glowing ambient interlude.
6. (4:07) ** Too Soon to Tell—Driving drum machines, earnest vocals, soaring.
7. (5:26) *** Cold Souls—“The single.” Uplifting synth nostalgia with a beautiful cosmic outro. Probably incredible live.
8. (1:07) A Spire Points at the Heavens—Metallic ambience. The faintest sounds of voices.
9. (3:48) ** Kissing the Ground—Extremely fast, urgent.
10. (4:54) ** Forget Tomorrow—Dark, grimy 80s goth feel. Creative synths in the second half.
11. (6:05) * Behind the Wall—Intense, snarling vocals and a sense of urgency. Some dreamy parts. Long, cloudy ambient fade.
12. (5:22) * Too Soon to Tell (Cold Cave Remix)—Classic remix from these darkwave weirdos. Extremely fast shooting beats and falsetto vox. If you like Cold Cave you’ll dig this.
13. (5:35) Forget Tomorrow (Drew McDowall Remix)—Harsh noise and stark almost spoken vocals.
14. (4:48) * 39 by Design (Martial Canterel Remix)—Super downtempo and dreamy, reminded me instantly of Ulrich Schnauss.
15. (4:10) ** Kissing the Ground (Silent Servant Remix)—Driving head-nodding ethereal wrapped in a silver sheen.