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ARTIST : CRED
ALBUM : SONGS FROM THE VAULT
RELEASED : 12th DECEMBER 2025
LABEL : TOWN AND TOWERS RECORDS
Songs From The Vault is a concise and atmospheric synthpop release from Swedish duo CRED, issued via Town and Towers Records. Featuring Bjarne Sund and vocalist Hans Karlsson, the album draws heavily on classic 80s electronic influences, pairing analog synth melodies with moody, emotive vocals.
Across its tracks, the record balances catchy, melodic moments with darker, more introspective tones, giving it a nostalgic yet polished feel.
Standout tracks on the album : Meaning — A bright, synth-driven opener that instantly hooks with its energetic rhythm and shimmering pads. The melody has a nostalgic 80s feel, while the vocals cut through with clarity and emotional resonance, making it one of the album’s most memorable moments.
Redemption — Slightly darker and more atmospheric, Redemption leans into moody basslines and haunting synth textures. It balances introspective lyrics with an uplifting chorus, creating a tension between shadowy verses and a more anthemic refrain.
For Your Eyes — One of the more intimate cuts on the record, this track strips back some of the production layers in favor of a warmer, more emotive arrangement. The vocals shine here, carrying a reflective quality that gives the song a bittersweet charm.
Together, these selections showcase the album’s range — from vibrant synthpop to deeper, moodier expression — all delivered with a clear sense of style and emotional depth.
ARTIST : WMTID aka Well Martin This Is Different!
ALBUM : SILICA BOMBS
RELEASED : 27th NOVEMBER 2025
Silica Bombs sounds like it was made with the lights off, the windows shut, and the outside world pressing in. It’s an album that doesn’t try to charm you or meet you halfway — it documents a state of mind and leaves the listener to decide whether to stay with it.
Musically, the record leans into minimal, abrasive electronics. Synth lines are blunt rather than melodic, drum patterns feel mechanical and repetitive, and the overall production is intentionally rough. Nothing is polished; nothing is softened. Instead, the sound works as a frame for the album’s emotional core — frustration, fatigue, cynicism, and a kind of grim acceptance.
The vocals are delivered plainly, often close to spoken, which gives the lyrics a confrontational honesty. There’s no theatrical performance here, no attempt to hide behind metaphor-heavy poetry. The words land directly, sometimes uncomfortably so. Themes of social decay, personal disillusionment, and moral exhaustion repeat throughout the album, creating a unified mood rather than a collection of standalone songs.
What makes Silica Bombs effective is commitment. The album never breaks character. It doesn’t suddenly reach for a catchy chorus or a glossy arrangement to provide relief. This consistency can feel oppressive, but it’s also what gives the record its integrity. It feels like a document of someone working through anger and weariness in real time, using sound as a blunt instrument rather than a decorative one.
That said, the same qualities that give the album its strength will limit its audience. The repetition, lo-fi sound, and bleak tone demand patience and a certain tolerance for discomfort. Listeners looking for evolution, dynamics, or traditional song structures may find it exhausting. But for those who connect with its mood, the album becomes immersive — almost hypnotic in its refusal to entertain.
Silica Bombs isn’t trying to be liked. It’s not trying to be timeless, trendy, or accessible. It exists as a raw statement — a snapshot of discontent rendered in cold electronics and unfiltered words. If you approach it expecting polish, you’ll miss the point. If you approach it as a deliberately abrasive emotional release, it lands with real force.
Verdict:
A stark, uncompromising album that prioritizes honesty over comfort. Silica Bombs succeeds not by refinement, but by conviction — and that makes it resonate long after it ends.
