It was something of a sign
for 2020 when WE ARE REPLICA’s first attempt at a full length album was lost
when a feral cat got into their studio over the New Year holidays and urinated
all over their computer! But the London-based Franco German dark synth duo of
Nadège Préaudat and Martin Kinz soldiered on and now have ‘Cleared Vision’. “We
always liked heavy music as much as electronic music and therefore often use
synths like electric guitars” said Kinz while Préaudat affirmed “That helps to
capture emotions in its rawest state”. So it is something of a pleasant
surprise amongst all the intensity from life in isolation during a difficult
2020, WE ARE REPLICA have introduced an enchanting avant pop element to their
sound. With a muted down aggression towards the mind-set that the album’s title
suggests, is this possibly some optimism finding its way in through the back
door?
‘Only The Best’ brings in
some piercing noise but there is a refinement to provide some accessible punky
synth. ‘Miami’ though unexpectedly offers a comparatively sunny disposition
with Kinz almost perky like a German Eno, although Préaudat offsets all that
but even she sounds less intense compared to WE ARE REPLICA’s previous work.
‘Sanitize Me’ is kind of business as usual though and will connect with anyone
affected by the lockdown. It may be a bit too close to home, but it is an
honest statement and Préaudat is still strangely sexy despite the doom and
gloom. Some relief comes from a delightful closing section of cascading keys.
Previous singles
‘Parallele Universen’ and ‘Angel’ feature lyrics in German and French
respectively as homage to Neue Deutsche Welle and French New Wave. But the
language is no barrier, acting more like additional instrumental elements.
‘Parallele Universen’ nods towards Robert Görl and sees Kinz in previously
unheard territory actually singing. Meanwhile despite the sinister discomfort
of ‘Angel’, Préaudat is wonderfully alluring with her deep Gallic tongue. Like
Siamese Twins thanks to their common concept, they are separated by the
brooding ‘Opus 5’ which is more abstract like a schizophrenic gothic art piece.
Kinz and Préaudat have a deadpan exchange on the creepy and monotone ‘For Whom
The Dove Cried’ for the most foreboding and experimental track on ‘Cleared
Vision’, before the mantic drone-laden ‘Isolated Star’ screeches with sharp
synth lines and a steadfast rhythmic lattice over a concluding eight minutes.
Heavy music for heavy times, ‘Cleared Vision’ is like life, up and down and up
before descending into a mental breakdown after a pop focussed start.
This album won’t be for
everyone but in its enigmatic expression and artful sound sculpture, it
reflects our strange dark times. There is light at the end of the tunnel, but
whether that light is an escape the other side or a truck heading towards you
is another story!
Text by Chi Ming Lai