ALBUM REVIEW: Darklife

death's dynamic shroud - Darklife

Death’s dynamic shroud is an electronic band that released their first album on streaming in 2014. However, one year later they found success and made their way into the headphones of music nerds everywhere with their 2015 record, I’ll Try Living Like This. Last year they released one of my personal favorite albums in recent history, Faith in Persona, but their follow up this year, Darklife, does not fail to continue their string of successful releases. The album takes advantage of its minimal lyrics in order to bring attention to the superb production the group is known for. The album’s name, Darklife, is a perfect description of the story that unfolds through the power of sound as opposed to words on this record. The opening track, “Stay,” offers listeners the feeling of sitting in a rocketship, picking up speed as they clear the skies to journey out towards the cosmos. The progression of the synths speeding up to culminate into a cold slow rhythm, the rocket now floating adrift in space, is a beautiful demonstration of the capacity of production. This same pattern is replicated throughout the remainder of the album, a powerful energy erupting to leave behind a somber, slower sound. The second track, “Judgement Bolt,” is as electric as the album gets—fast paced and filled with rage. The climax of energy can be found on “Messe de E-102,” and after this point the songs settle into a more dramatic, distant feeling. On no song is this more felt than “Fall For Me,” where the lack of pattern to the instrumental breathes a life in the song that makes the track unique in comparison to any other. Crafting music like this is the group’s strongest skill, as they consistently release tracks that are so unlike other music that I’ve heard. Darklife is certainly a strong record, and one of the band’s best, but I would not say the album is for everyone. The unorganized style can be off-putting to the ears, and slamming production repeatedly can be unappealing to people who prefer to listen to a more singer-songwriter type of sound. Darklife is worth a listen to those looking to expand their musical horizons and venture into the field of electronic and vaporwave music, and it is a great time for those who have already opened their ears to the field. 

-DJ Dizzy Joe

Recommended Tracks: “Judgement Bolt,” “Missing Person,” “Fade Persona,” and “Fall For Me”
RIYL: Sweet Trip, Porter Robinson, and Candy Claws
FCC: Clean