As I'm fast approaching the half-century mark of 50 years old, it's been interesting to develop a cynicism towards modern day music, a quality I used to despise in the older crowd, whose age I've now reached.
I'm at least proud to say, and relieved in a sense, that I'm not of the belief that "they just don't make music like they used to." To some degree I do concur with that sentiment, especially in the world of let's call it ... "Top 40." I don't hear much Top 40, but when I do, my ear doesn't pick up memorable melodies all that often, or solid tunes, or HOOKS. And mind you, this is coming from an OG shoegaze obsessive, a genre known for burying melodies deep in the noise of their guitar pedals at deafening levels. Point being, I'm rather accustomed to finding those hooks deep in the muck.
Generally, Top 40 feels to me like there's rarely genuine artistic risk occurring the majority of the time. It's often vanilla, safe bets when it comes to ROI (that's when they give you the Grammys - $$$$$ only) and thusly it feels less substantive. These days, it feels worse than ever. Hip-hop is a great example - and again, I'm thinking Top 40 here - where are the Tribe Called Quests of today? UGHH, I know how terrible this makes me sound - 30 years older than I am (also old) - but I literally don't hear anything memorable in most of the mainstream music scene of late.
However, that higher level of musicianship many yearn for is still out there, just not in the big, corporate media world with the Taylor Swifts and the Dua Lipas and all this (and all due respect to their obvious talents in both music and business). Yes ... hooks that SLAP (ha), earworms that infect for weeks, melodies that raise the hair off your arm ... those songs do exist, in abundance. Thanks to cheaper and greater access to music across the globe at a scale once thought unthinkable, finding your own hidden gems can be rather easily found. Or more, easily accessed. You just need to find it first, and that is an infinite ocean of possibilities.
New music is still on the playlist the majority of my listening time. I suppose - and rather subconsciously I'd argue - I'm still looking for the next amazing band or album that will take me back to that youthful excitement of finding new music that shakes you to your core, and "changing your life forever." However, having acquired that aforementioned affliction known as "aging," those moments are truly rare these days. Having "heard it all before" does explain it to some extent, and I do argue with myself about whether I should spend more time listening to my past favorites, my existing collection and playlists. There's a VERY solid argument for that. But that feeling of finding something shiny and new to you, that blows your hair back (says mostly bald jerk), is intoxicating and hard to shake. Still, I was so very close to making that switch back to the classics, very recently in fact. And then a few short weeks ago I randomly came across this band.
Sacred Skin. At first I couldn't believe my ears. Then I couldn't believe my eyes. Everything about this band seems perfect. Their sound. The production. The hooks. Their look. Their aesthetic. Their style. Their vision. Their multiple levels of diversity is something that yes, appeals to me. Diversity scares some I suppose, but it comforts me. And yet, Ive been overly cautious on finding out too much about them. I think it's because I get in this mindset where I don't want to discover something that could dampen the mood + vibes (maaaaaan). Everything is perfect so far, and I refuse to risk feeling disappointment this early on!
For example: What's one of the first things new fans of artists do upon discovering their new, big, favorite thing? Videos. Music videos. (Yes, they do still exist. Bigger than ever, really.) But I've still not watched the videos of Sacred Skin; apparently they have a few, and I've added one to this post below for your enjoyment. Share your review!
The sort of irony here is that while Sacred Skin is a new band - formed during COVID quarantine - and they're on small record labels, and in a sense could be considered an "underground" band (maybe they are "underground," i have no idea, go ask the kids), they are without question, while fantastic songwriters and producers, not possessing the most original sound. But that's not an insult! They own it - the 80s is their brand through and through. In fact, one of their cool aspects is using old electronic instruments, synths and keyboards from back in that era of influence to help bring their songwriting to life, and back from the dead in many ways! So yeah, I've fallen for a modern day band, but one that channels much of the New Wave and New Romanticism found throughout the 1980s that I grew up with, adore to this day and am still a complete sucker for (while highly discerning, don't you worry). So yes, in fact! They DO make music like they used to! And they - the KIDS - are making it even better. Put that in your pipe and smoke it.
Sacred Skin's debut album The Decline of Pleasure was released last year and not to be hyperbolic, but it's truly a solid 10, or an A+, or a 100%. Score it however the hell your heart desires, plain English works just fine: it's perfect. Every single song, whether their sound is your bag or not, is rock solid. Or as the kids used to say, a "banger." Every single track. This album hits hard. Every hook SLAPS (ha). Every song an earworm that's been in my head for weeks. Their mastery at this feels undeniable.
Though not entirely accurate, the best description I've encountered of their perfectly-replicated tribute to 80s pop/synth rock (was this one of those "only-one-copy-ever-made-found-40 years-later-in-time-capsule" kinda things?) referred to them quite simply as a "goth INXS." It's not what they sound like exactly, but it's an apt comparison and for sure prepares you for what you're about to get into. Nearly top 40 quality, I suppose. Their follow-up appears to be close on the horizon. If it's ½ as good as The Decline of Pleasure, we then most certainly have another masterpiece on the way.
Comentários