Ksyran - Smoke In My Veins

Ksyran

Smoke In My Veins

(thisismetropolis)

Modern European/Scandinavian electro-popdance music is what it is and doesn’t usually act as much if a vehicle for deep, emotional lyrical conveyance. But here’s an act that seems to aim at both, simultaneously. Whilst the music on this collection is beats-driven and synth-heavy, a close listen to the words of the songs reveals a lot more than the ‘You’re cute, let’s dance’ lyrics we are used to hearing.

Opener Hello is a good example of what I contend – dark verses leading to a much brighter chorus over an Abba tempo. Ghostly keys under the bridge. It’s insistent, catchy. Ksyran’s overall upbeat voice suits this kind of number but on the following cut Heartless takes on a more world-weary and resigned timbre. The words are accusatory and the coldness of the song is amplified by the machine rhythm. However the melody stays in your head! Like a Gary Numan classic. And again the chorus strikes a lighter note.

Already my favourite inclusion, You Know seems based on uncomfortableness emanating from a partner’s too-close understanding of the narrator’s psyche. It has the best melodic sequence on the record and fuzz chording adds bite. Overall it evokes the mighty Lacuna Coil (Italy’s finest) with its heavy cloud of sound and woven tunefulness. Sacred Love is more standard Euro/electro pop but has another catchy soaring chorus and few dynamic tricks. Overall feel is ‘surrender’, breathy delivery deployed.

The single Intimacy is already a hit with this listener, with its insistent romantic lilt. I would definitely have added some acoustic guitar to this, somewhere. Death By Love has more spirited singing and again a touch of Abba. Kill is more syncopated and a paranoia-soaked lyric, the backing suiting the theme.

More emotional elements on You Don’t Love Me Anymore, re love departing without warning and a very sad vibe, indeed. How many dreadful things have happened to this lass?! Where Are You, a song of mistrust uses a clattering synth melody and a strident vocal – the best on the album. Skin is much more relaxed, dreamy arpeggio chording to the fore and almost certainly the most durable song here. If I Can’t seems to concern emotional frustration, exasperated vocal performance.

Generally, I am not a fan of automated rhythms or a dancer, so this album isn’t really aimed at the likes of me; HOWEVER the balance of the set brings us acoustic renditions of some of the compositions, giving Ksyran a chance to settle into the gentler backdrops and just sing the songs……

This is a voice I’d like to hear with real strings and less mix density maybe, next time around.

Pete Sargeant

Ksyran’s new album ‘Smoke In My Veins’ is out now. For more information visit: www. http://ksyran.com/