Blogiarhiiv

5/29/2016

Hanging Freud – Motherland (2016)




  • Shoegaze 
  • Indie folk
  • Indie dance
  • Post-punk 
  • Alternative dance 
  • Art rock
  • Darkwave 
  • Electronic 
  • Experimental rock 
  • Alternative pop/rock 
  • Indie pop/rock 
  • Space rock


Comment: My first impression with the music of Hanging Freud was in connection with their album Sunken on the Brazilian record label Sinewave and French imprint Myhand.Thanx Records The duo of Paula Borges, and Jonathan Perez made me immediately excited because of craftily merging an exciting feel of songwriting in the vein of experimental rock, shoegaze and space rock. Later on I had listened to the Sao Paulo, Brazil-based duo`s two first issues Hanging Freud (2005), and Continental EP (2007) as well, which maybe were slightly more straightforward yet excellent releases without any doubt. In November 2015 Borges/Perez issued the fourth issue No Body Allowed. This time their 6-notch issue chimes somewhere between paganism and medieval music influenced indie folk/rock and on the other side it is spacey indie, post-punk, poignant electronic music and shoegaze tinged alternative rock. In comparison to the duo’s first albums the issue is partly more dance-appealed, and remarkably more electronic. The outing involves great mind-blowing tracks like Lost Children, Centuries, and The South. By kindred souls there can be drawn parallels with such artists as Espers, My Bloody Valentine (in some tracks the influence of Loveless is perceivable though being interpreted indirectly, in the duo’s own way), Anahita, Lycia, and Siouxsie and the Banshees. However, despite hinting at more recognised artists it does not mean Hanging Freud does lack its own idiosyncratic touch. The instrumentation of the album and the singing of Paula Borges are masterfully balanced and do complement each other thereby resulting in as an excellent issue. The duo's touch is flowing freely being saturated with otherworldly reveries and insights from a psychotic abyss. The harmonies and sonic effects fall seamlessly together. I cannot be wrong by stating that Hanging Freud is one of the most underrated artists worldwide during the last ten years. But I really hope the things will be changed and the current issue will find its place in lists of the best releases in 2016. At least at Recent Music Heroes the notch is guaranteed.