Death and Vanilla return with ‘Flicker’, presenting their unique pop music that defies categorisation. Housed in a beautifully austere post-ironic de-constructed sleeve; ‘Flicker’ is a modern reflection on these difficult times. World crises notwithstanding, they return reborn, re-arranged and revitalised after assimilating dub reggae, the motorik spirals of Can, the modal meander of Philip Glass and The Cure’s dreamier pop sounds; plus the twice removed symphonic ambience of Spiritualized and Talking Heads under heavy manners from Brian Eno. By osmosis their period of transition since 2019’s much darker ‘Are You A Dreamer?’ has hatched new eclectic electronica anthems riddled with melody lines, and layered for lush love.
Forming in Malmö, Sweden, Death And Vanilla gravitated towards vintage musical equipment; from vibraphone, organ and mellotron, to tremolo guitar and Moog synthesisers. Soaking up soundtracks from the 60s and 70s, listening to library music, kosmiche, French Ye-ye pop and 60s psych, Marleen Nilsson, Anders Hansson and Magnus Bodin were fashioned by the city’s austere industrial past and flat pack present, and all in the shadow of the Orsesund Bridge that links their dreamworld to mainland Europe and a darker reality.
Death And Vanilla at once sound like everything is possible; but nothing else at all. There is a flicker of hope for everyone.
“Deploying vintage instruments in their quest for melancholic utopia.” - Electronic Sound
“Baroque pop through a dreampop filter.” - The Guardian.
Forming in Malmö, Sweden, Death And Vanilla gravitated towards vintage musical equipment; from vibraphone, organ and mellotron, to tremolo guitar and Moog synthesisers. Soaking up soundtracks from the 60s and 70s, listening to library music, kosmiche, French Ye-ye pop and 60s psych, Marleen Nilsson, Anders Hansson and Magnus Bodin were fashioned by the city’s austere industrial past and flat pack present, and all in the shadow of the Orsesund Bridge that links their dreamworld to mainland Europe and a darker reality.
Death And Vanilla at once sound like everything is possible; but nothing else at all. There is a flicker of hope for everyone.
“Deploying vintage instruments in their quest for melancholic utopia.” - Electronic Sound
“Baroque pop through a dreampop filter.” - The Guardian.
STAFF COMMENTS
Barry says: It's hard to define exactly what Death and Vanilla do. It's deeply psychedelic but rooted in classic songwriting, taking familiar progressions and twisting them into perfectly produced fever dreams. 'Flicker' has a ton of melody, is warm and brooding but remains resolutely listenable, and endlessly fascinating.TRACK LISTING
Side A
A1. Out For Magic
A2. Baby Snakes
A3. Find Another Illusion
A4. Perpetuum Mobile
Side B
B1. Looking Glass
B2. Mercury's Rising
B3. Fearless
B4. Transparent Things
B5. Perpetuum Reprise