Young And Cold Records – YCR/180 (2024) SIXTH JUNE, the Serbian duo working from Berlin for many years, has gathered a solid fan base since their first album in 2010, and even longer breaks have not stopped the fans from staying loyal. With their fifth album “Stay” (their first on Y&C), SIXTH JUNE catapult themselves another big step forward. Catchy Electro-Wave that will leave a lasting impression, also far beyond the usual scene: Wonderfully produced songs that immediately stick in your head, but fail to sound “superficial”. ‘Stay’ includes totally 8 tracks, among them the remixed and remastered versions of the singles: “Dance with me”, “Stay”, “Collapse”, “Sanjam” and “Wake up”. The basic direction of SIXTH JUNE has remained the same... their mixture of Electro-Wave, Minimal-Synth and intense 80s atmospheres is both, profound and catchy. Overall, there is an (even) more melancholic atmosphere this time, which is often strongly reminiscent of the less experimental stuff of Kirlian Camera from the 80s (“Blue Room”, “Heldenplatz”...). “Dance with Me” and “Sanjam” open the album in the usual way, with the former song also being suitable for the dancefloors of clubs, especially in the early hours of the morning when the party is slowly winding down. “Stay” combines electronic elements with light Neofolk-over- tones and puts the listener in an almost hypnotic mood. “Take Care” seems lighter and could almost be a lost Valerie-Dore B-side, as unlikely as that may sound. “Dream Again” then leads more into the second half of the 80s and is a little more solemn, while finally “Collapse” is an anthem for the sunrise on the beach, after a night of partying and will certainly become a fan favorite at concerts. Bandcamp 試聴 https://sixthjune.bandcamp.com/album/stay

Young And Cold Records – YCR/181 (2024) Diesein is the solo music project of Laslo Antal from Sixth June. Diesein (ディ ザイン) はLaslo Antalの音楽プロジェクト。通常はソロプロジェクトと呼ばれていますが (Lasloが曲の作曲とシンガーであるため), 他のミュージシャンがゲストとして参加しています。 「Even the Best are the worst」はディ ザインのセカンドアルバム。10曲の新曲を含み, オリジナルは限定アートリリースの形でリリースされました。 Diesein [dɪˈzaɪn] is the music project of Laslo Antal. Although it is usually referred to as a solo project (because Laslo is the composer and singer of the songs), other musicians guest. Even the Best are the worst, is the second album of Diesein. Including 10 new tracks, and originally released in the shape of a limited edition art release. Bandcamp 試聴 https://diesein.bandcamp.com/album/even-the-best-are-the-worst

Young And Cold Records – YCR/190 (2024) RUE OBERKAMPFはダークウェイヴ, エレクトロニックミュージック, そして心に残る美学を融合させたジャンルにとらわれないバンドで, 世界中の聴衆を魅了しています。彼らの音楽は人生や芸術のダークサイドからインスピレーションを得て, 音と感情の奥底への旅をしています。彼らはゴスシーンに忠実なファンベースを持ち,新しいリリースのたびに限界を押し広げ続けています。 RUE OBERKAMPF is a genre-defying band that blends darkwave, electronic music, and a haunting aesthetic, captivating audiences worldwide. Their music is a journey into the depths of sound and emotion, drawing inspiration from the darker sides of life and art. With a loyal fanbase in the goth scene, they continue to push boundaries with each new release. Bandcamp 試聴 https://rueoberkampf.bandcamp.com/album/essenz

Infravox Records (2018) Stockhaussen is a Minimal Synth / Minimal Wave / Cold Wave project created by Angel Kauff from Mexico city. Bandcamp 試聴 https://stockhaussen.bandcamp.com/album/signos-2nd-l-p

Young And Cold Records – YCR/184 (2024) Highly gifted US-trio from Chicago with a very strong debut album! The band's self-description "we make sad happy music to dance to" sums it up pretty well. Discogs mentions genres such as Dreampop, Gothrock, New Wave and Indie, but in the end it can be summed up as Postpunk, which on the one hand fits well into the ongoing trend. On the other hand, however, it relies less on the usual gloom and instead conveys a positive overall mood. This is ensured by the female singer's unpretentious singing, the straight rhythms, the pumping bass and the wavy guitars. This would have fit well on the 4AD label in the early 90s, when bands like Lush, Belly, Throwing Muses and Breeders were causing a stir there. After starting with the relaxed, easy-going songs “I still love You”, “Donde Dormiste” and “Tarot”, “Die Disko” then takes a danceable club direction for the first time, as does the slightly hectic “I don't want to share You (Too Shy)”. “Untitled” brings back memories of The Cure - but has nothing to do with the song of the same name from “Disintegration”. Dreampop at its finest is “Touch Me”, which would be a monument if performed live accordingly, “Drag U Down” is flawless Indiepop, as was common in the second half of the 80s on labels such as Sarah, Creation or Postcard. FUTURE NOBODIES present a fairly mature debut here, which is stylistically diverse, but has already developed its own style, which promises a lot for the future. It's worth keeping an eye on and an ear out for! Bandcamp 試聴 https://futurenobodies.bandcamp.com/album/future-nobodies

Young And Cold Records – YCR/182 (2024) ADAM USI (from the South of Germany) is practically part of the "inventory" of Y&C Records. He was there right from the beginning and released several records and tapes, making a good name for himself with a small but fine fan base through this and occasional live performances. Far too long, six years after the 2018 work "In Plastique Bloom", here’s an all new album! Musically, the tried and tested mix of New Wave and Synthpop in the style of the 80s remains, but sounds appear much matured! You could also just call it Wave-Pop, here and there with a bit of New Romantic atmosphere, characterized by the fresh, natural singing. “Malaise”, for example, is a real catchy tune, “2 10” brings to mind the very early Depeche Mode and “Farce”, which was released on tape in 2021, could almost have come from the second or third Soft Cell- album, at least as far as the vocal melody is concerned. “Woke up unlucky” not only shows a slightly different side of ADAM USI in the title, musically speaking it is also much more “wavy”. From time to time it gets a bit darker, as in “Aurora”, which is almost hypnotic, but at the same t ime invites you to dance. “Censored Self-Harm” is all about conscious and unconscious self-harm and self-denial. And since this is of course not an easy topic - but is sometimes packed in catchy music in a seemingly contradictory way - the lyrics are included with the LP so that listeners can deal with it. But of course you can also just enjoy the album as a beautiful Wave-Pop-pearl. ADAM USI pre- sent an album that is simultaneously catchy and profound and seems calm in a positive sense.

Young And Cold Records – YCR/174 (2024) In the 1990s and early 2000s, well-known European and American Darkwave- and Electro-bands such as London After Midnight, Das Ich and Crüxshadows played in Mexico for the first time and were surprised by enthusiastic audiences. As if by an initial spark, many fans began to make music themselves and a lively Dark-Scene has developed to this day. Y&C brought some of the acts to Europe firstly...including LOVER & STRANGERS. The trio was founded in 2018 and is now releasing their third album, "P3rv3rt". Nothing fundamental has changed in the basic mix of 90s Dark Electro and some Gothic-elements. However, the production and songwriting have matured significantly and songs like "Face to Face" should quickly fill the dance floors of the clubs. "Destiny" almost tends towards the Future-Pop direction, that emerged around the turn of the millennium. "Dominik" has more than a bit of The Sisters Of Mercy, as does "Justine" (not just because of the woman's name in the title) and "Re- demption" is a perfect song in classic New Wave-style. None of this is new, but it is implemented in such a pleasant and contemporary way that it is very entertaining. Darkwave in the style of the 90s with today's technical implementation...that will be definitely a lot of fun live too! Bandcamp 試聴 https://strangerandloversofficial.bandcamp.com/album/p3rv3rt

Young And Cold Records – YCR/171 (2024) The German duo URSULA released several tapes and a split LP since 2019... With their sound between catchy NDW (German New Wave around 1981/82) and Minimal Synth, URSULA have quickly made a good name for themselves among Minimal-fans and now also started performing live. With "4" and upcoming performances, the duo intends to reach a wider audience and bring their danceable electronic sound to the clubs. The 8 tracks on this beautifully coloured Vinyl recall the early German tape scene of the 80s, when "children's room"-musicians implemented their idea of Pop Music with the simplest technical an musical equipment. From the descriptions it is clear that “4” sounds like it was made from a single piece and will delight NDW fans of groups like Profil, Stahlnetz, Zaza or Recht Herzlich, as well as people who love current acts like Kühle Matrosen, Tilly Electronics or Gen Null. Bandcamp 試聴 https://ursula-ursula.bandcamp.com/album/ursula-4

Young And Cold Records – YCR/053LP (2020) Psihokratija was founded in 1988 in Yugoslavia (Belgrade, Serbia) by Gorjan Krstić (synths and composition) and Zoran Petrović (vocals). Wessely Karel (synths) joined the band but left after a very short period of time. In 1990 the band released its debut album, entitled "Album Mentalnih Fotografija" (Mental Photo Album) and started performing all over the country. The same year, the band split and Gorjan Krstić, with new band members, began to prepare the band's second album, which ended right before the start of the civil war. It was only after many years, that Gorjan reactivated the whole project with new band members. He is currently preparing Psihokratija's third album. Bandcamp 試聴 https://psihokratija.bandcamp.com/album/eight-wanderings-of-the-soul

Young And Cold Records – YCR/177 (2024) THE SWEET KILL is the solo project of US musician Pete Mills. While solo projects are usually in the Electro or Darkwave genres, THE SWEET KILL is clearly inspired by Gothrock, a genre that actually thrives primarily on the interaction of a band. The fact that Mills' sound still works very well shows his musical talent. NOWHERE contains sonic cinematic soundscapes of cold wave synths, post-punk drums, atmospheric guitar and melodic bass. This highly anticipated sophomoric album questions the final analysis of the souls’ journey between two worlds, are we eternally floating in the ether or are we never lost and always found? Grief is love with nowhere to go. Lives are lived and lost and some souls return to explore another round as others trudge eternally haunting our world forever in the nowhere… Bandcamp 試聴 https://thesweetkill.bandcamp.com/album/nowhere

Young And Cold Records – YCR/176 (2024) WERNER KARLOFF and DAN SHAMBLE have been working together under the name NEUE STRASSEN since the mid-2010s. Even though a number of Mexican Darkwave/Electro/Postpunk- acts have emerged in recent years, particularly thanks to the networking of Y&C, there is still a lot to discover from this country. While the first album and a single were previously only available as imports in Europe, the all new album "Last Days" is now being released in Europe, and should therefore give the duo a real boost in attention. Not only the band name NEUE STRASSEN, but also song titles such as "Unterwegs" and German-language samples show a clear connection to Germany. The opener "Attack on the City" is an electro smasher that will get Club- and Concert-goers dancing straight away. Powerful, straightforward and catchy...that has real hit potential right from the start of the album. “Erased Thoughts” is a little more sedate and dark-wavy, but is also beautifully dynamic and freshly produced. “Golden Cage” is based on 90s Dark Electro, combined with some Gothrock-guitar sounds. “Suburban Distress” is strongly rooted in the New Wave of the 80s, while “The Witch” should reveal its qualities live, the rockiest song on “Last Days”. “Unterwegs” is something for the Minimal-freaks and “Warm Sands” finally brings back almost the good old Batcave sound. The influences are therefore diverse. What makes NEUE STRASSEN’s sound so special, is the combination of extremely danceable rhythms, playful electronic sounds, cool vocals and wavy guitars. All of this is excellently produced, mixed and mastered in a very contemporary way, so that the album is very catchy, but still retains a few rough edges. Another inside tip that should quickly conquer larger audiences. In any case, the density of hits is high. Bandcamp 試聴 https://neuestrassen.bandcamp.com/album/last-days

Young and Cold Records – YCR/173 (2024) Since 2017, the Texan Gothrock/Postpunk/Darkwave-trio ROSEGARDEN FUNERAL PARTY has been releasing music continuously without longer breaks. Even during the pandemic, two new albums were released, and to much acclaim! This and the constant live presence show the irrepressible joy of playing music of the band around singer Leah Lane. After the 2022 album "Take Cover", which contained only cover versions, some of which were really surprising in song selection and interpretations, the fifth album (alongside numerous digital singles and a CD compilation) "From the Ashes" is now being released again by Y&C. The basic musical direction has of course remained the same, that is, Rosegarden Funeral Party draw extensively on over 40 years of Wave- and Postpunk-history and use it to form their very own style, not least through the expressive vocals of Leah Lane. There is everything from raw Gothrock in "Doorway Ghost" to Darkwave in "First to cry" and Guitar-Wave in "Pillar of Salt" to Postpunk in the title track "From the Ashes". The influences range from bands like All About Eve and Ghost Dance ("Almost Heaven") through Toyah and Hazel O'Connor ("Embers") to The Chameleons ("Pillar of Salt") and Sparks ("Love Like Goodbye"). This variedness, the intensity of the live performances and a cover artwork that is rather unusual for the genre (but noticeable) will bring "From the Ashes" a lot of attention and not only satisfy existing fans, but also attract new listeners. Bandcamp 試聴 https://rosegardenfuneralparty.bandcamp.com/album/from-the-ashes

Young And Cold Records – YCR/167 (2024) After their 2023 debut Minialbum "Capture", the southern German duo YAKIMA JERA is back with a brabd new 8-Tracks Album. Named after an Islamic death angel and with artwork on the cover inspired by alchemical symbols, the album is not as mystical as one might think. While "Capture" was still characterized by long, quite complex songs, "Azrael take My Hand" starts with "The House" with an Electro sequence that immediately hits your ears and legs and heads towards a climax that will spark enthusiasm especially live. The following "Kara" is one of the few longer pieces that follows directly on from the debut, but does not lack catchiness. "Felt Love" is danceable Electro - with slight echoes of Boy Harsher or Tempers - and "Nothing remains" has a nice melancholic Wave atmosphere with slight Eastern European overtones. "Kiss Me To Hell" is a little lighter and "End Hell" has everything a typical Darkwave hit needs nowadays. "Fire" goes in a similar direction before the album ends with the much darker title song "Azrael take My Hand". Less coherent than its predecessor, this album is more song-oriented, meaning that each song stands on its own, but is still convincing. The record contains club-friendly material as well as wavy stuff for listing at home and songs that probably unfold their power particularly live. YAKIMA JERA should earn a good place for themselves in the ever flourishing Darkwave scene, which is particularly due to the very good vocals, which here and there are even reminiscent of Faith And The Muse. Bandcamp 試聴 https://yakimajera.bandcamp.com/album/azrael-take-my-hand

Young And Cold Records – YCR/170 (2024) First LP of in-the-middle-of-nowhere-in-Austria based one-person project IVUR [infravioletultrared] IVUR, which is short for "Infraviolet Ultrared", is an electronic solo project based in the middle of nowhere in the Austrian countryside, featuring the veteran underground DJ Mr.URNs. After 25 years of djing he decided to switch sides and release his own music. After the two Digital-EPs “Alpha” and “Beta”, he now presents the first album, logically titled “Gamma”. This contains the tracks from the two EPs for the first time on vinyl and is therefore kind of an inventory before new music was produced. The sound is purely electronic and produced really “fat”, which makes it potential material for Club-dancefloors. The style is made up of Synthpop, some Darkwave and a large bunch of Italo-Disco, the style that many people only listened to shamefully at home for decades, but which is now experiencing a real renaissance. “Feel” and “Strangelight” are catchy, very catchy, tunes that will at least make your feet twitch along. “Eyes” is Synthpop that combines with Minimal-Electro from the 80s, whereas “Morning” goes a little more in the Wave direction and is vaguely reminiscent of Kirlian Camera from the “Edges” and “Blue Room” era. Things get a little quieter and more atmospheric with the Electro Wave of “Fire”, while “Shatter” could come straight from the mainstream-Discos of the 80s where people danced to Den Harrow or Eddie Huntington. The first slight hints of Techno are added in “Fortify”, before “Lies” concludes the album in a more atmospheric and wavr way. “Gamma” proves to be a really successful Electro-Dance album that will definitely please everyone who can relate to the Neo-Disco-sound of Tobias Bernstrup and is not averse to the sounds of Body of Light. Bandcamp 試聴 https://ivur.bandcamp.com/album/gamma

Young And Cold Records – YCR/168 (2024) Wave, experimental, post-punk solo project by Anna Nin (Bremen, Germany). Shortly after the 2023 album “Void”, Anna Nin AKA Glaring is presenting her all new album! Since 2018, GLARING has been continuously releasing music, both independently digitally and on Vinyl/CD/Tape on various labels. This is reminiscent in the best sense of the Tape Scene of the 80s and early 90s, when everyone could make music completely independently and bring it to the people... a time of wild and enormous creativity. But in contrast to many bands of that time, GLARING maintains a high musical standard and despite sometimes quite different styles, there is always a continuity that makes Anna Nin's music recognizable. The roots are clearly based in New Wave, Coldwave and Darkwave of the 80s and 90s. Flat synthesizer sounds, minimalist drums and almost ethereal vocals, which are more like an addi- tional instrument, are always complemented by wavy guitars and basses and merge into atmo- spheric overall works that are actually - even though the album is released in spring - the perfect soundtrack to autumnal walks in foggy forests. The opener “Milky's Way Out” already brings back memories of the romantic tracks from The Cure's “Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me”-album, who doesn't immediately think of songs like “One More Time” or “A Thousand Hours” - or even „The Funeral Party“ from „Faith“? You almost expect Robert Smith's pleading vocals to start at any moment. Things get a little darker with “Sickness Unto Death,” for example, which almost has soundtrack-like vibes. “Numbergasm” seems to move through the entire body with its dull drums and could come from New Order’s “Lowlife” album. “I feel like I'm going to dream tonight” offers exactly what the title promises. One can only repeat it... there is a vibe here like that of the legendary labels Lively Art or 4AD, only in a slightly more electronic way. GLARING stands out from the average Darkwave/Post- punk of recent years with a certain introversion. It is, in the best sense, magical music! Bandcamp 試聴 https://glaring.bandcamp.com/album/shoegaphex

Young And Cold Records – YCR/165 (2024) THYMIAN is Josip Tijan's solo project, which first got some attention in 2019 with its first 10" EP on the acclaimed Brazilian label Wave Records. Thymian released its first album "Rhythm of Doubt" on YOUNG & COLD in 2021. Probably due to the Covid19 pandemic, THYMIAN didn't really take off in the Darkwave-scene at the time, but will definitely get wider attention with the new 10" "White Knuckled". The digitally advanced released tracks “Kozmos” and “Sentimental” show a clear development from the still very typically Darkwave of the 2021 album. The wavy melodies and the slightly melancholic mood are still there, but there is also a good dose of 80s Wave-Pop and a bit of New Romantic-feeling. Old heroes like Duran Duran and Spandau Ballet come to mind, paired with the wave sound of Pink Turns Blue or, more recently, Drab Majesty. This gets stuck in your head after the first listen and an EP is actually far too short. But it appears in the beautiful 10" format, which you should quickly set to continuous rotation. Bandcamp 試聴 https://thymian.bandcamp.com/album/white-knuckled

Young And Cold Records – YCR/163 (2024) After the two successful albums “Skryvaj” and “Paharda”, and a number of special releases, here’s the band’s third regular studio album. NÜRNBERG, the band with the quite unexpected name for artists coming from Belarus, continues to be incredibly productive. The new album follows the re-release of “U Nikudy” (with early material), the mini-album “Ahida” and an online-only EP in 2023. And despite the wealth of material, there is no reason to worry that the high standards of previous releases cannot be maintained. After the musically diverse experiments on “Ahida”, “Adkaz” is now almost completely dedicated to the rather light, catchy (Guitar-) Wave, that comes in a very gentle and production and should therefore also reach listeners outside of the “Black” Scene, especially the title song “Adkaz.” The songs have a refreshingly light atmosphere, sometimes sound “cure”-ish and live particularly thanks to the always slightly melancholic sound of the Russian vocals. If you liked NÜRNBERG's previous releases, you will be delighted with this new 8-tracks Album: Classic and pure Postpunk/Darkwave/Coldwave! Tips for listening are the beautifully wavy “Vada”, which also has club potential, and the slightly harder “Horad”. “Strach” should cause dancing in front of the stage at Liveshows, but definitely the most catchy tune is „Pacalunak“, which is slightly “hidden” at the end of the album but deserves highest attention and praise! All songs by Nürnberg (Minsk, Belarus) Recording: Raman Kamahorcaŭ (“Molchat Doma”), Andrej Babroŭka Mixing: Andrej Babroŭka, Pavel Tretyak Mastering: Andrej Babroŭka Cover: Jonathan Sirit (“Belgrado”) Bandcamp 試聴 https://nurnbergminsk.bandcamp.com/album/adkaz

〜 レーベルラストストック品 ”再入荷" 〜 Young And Cold Records – YCR/166 (2024) Twin Tribes 2024年 最新作 "Pendulum" 彼らの待望のサードアルバム "Pendulum" (振り子) はバンドが宇宙の神秘, 愛の勝利, 疑う余地のない崇拝の落とし穴, そして死とその不可避性についての彼らの継続的な探求を熟考していることを発見します。"Pendulum" (振り子) はバンドの音の進化だ。バンドの持ち味である鮮やかなギター, 80年代のアナログシンセ, 陰鬱な歌詞, ヴォーカルはそのままに, エッジの効いたサウンドを導入し, 未踏のアナログとデジタルの共鳴の領域に飛び込んでいます。Twin Tribesはゴシックとロマンティックを融合させ 光と闇の境界線をつまびらかにする, 簡潔でインパクトのあるアルバムの伝統を引き継いでいます。 振り子は 潮のリズミカルな揺れに似た, 二重性, 呼応性, 極性の探求として記述される。 "潮の満ち引きのように 振り子は右から左に均等に揺れ, 暗闇なしに光はない" Following the worldwide surprise success of the band’s debut “Shadows”, and the critically acclaimed sophomore album “Ceremony”, Twin Tribes return with their newest offering “Pendulum”. Four years after their last collection of original songs and constant touring on the US live circuit, the pair returned to the studio in the summer of 2023 to put together their eagerly expected third album. “Pendulum” finds the band contemplating the mysteries of the universe, the triumph of love, pitfalls of unquestioned adoration, and their continued exploration of death and its inevitability. Pendulum is the band’s sonic evolution. It introduces an edgier sound and dives into a realm of unexplored analog and digital resonance, driven by relentless bass synths and thumping drum machines, while retaining the bright guitars, 80s synths, somber lyrics and vocals that the band is known for. Twin Tribes continue their tradition of concise and impactful albums that fuse the gothic with the romantic, and tiptoe the line between light and dark. Bandcamp 試聴 https://twintribes.bandcamp.com/album/pendulum

Young And Cold Records – YCR/162 (2024) “Optograms” is the debut album by CORBEAU HANGS after a release of 3 digital singles. CORBEAU HANGS is a fresh US-Darkwave project from Phoenix/Arizona that describes itself as “Darkwave from the hellholes of PHX”. Not much is known about CORBEAU HANGS yet, but they make no secret of the fact that they are part of the still bubbling Darkwave/Cold-wave-trend, mixing various influences from modern acts like Twin Tribes, She Past Away as well as classic artists such as Clan of Xymox, Pink Turns Blue... , it combines the rawness of post-punk with the ambience and grittiness of synths and drum machines. And that pretty much hits the nail on the head – additionally you can certainly hear also some influences by the early Drab Majesty… The basic of Drum Machines and spacey Synth sounds is complemented by driving, hammering and accentuated Wave Guitars and pleasantly non-clichéd vocals. Despite the fundamentally melancholic mood, all of this is produced in a fresh, fluffy manner and immediately sticks in the listeners ears. It's difficult to single out individual songs because the album as a whole is very homogeneous and, with repeated listening, it creeps into the listener's head and doesn't leave it again. Although there is a lot of competition in this musical style, you never know whether one or two songs will end up on the Club playlists and become instant hits for the Darkwave-scene?Who would have expected that at the beginning of acts like Bragolin or Twin Tribes? A lot depends on whether CORBEAU HANGS will hopefully soon be able to perform live... Bandcamp 試聴 https://corbeauhangs.bandcamp.com/album/optograms

Young And Cold Records – YCR/150 (2024) This album is undoubtedly the first where Hoffen experienced a recording process quite different from the usual. We hope you enjoy this record as much as we enjoyed making it. The official release of 'Proteos: la deconstrucción de los hechos' will take place on Saturday, November 5th at the prestigious Foro La Piedad, an iconic venue for live music in Mexico City. The night will be filled with energy and emotions as Hoffen takes the stage and presents their new material. This album not only showcases Hoffen's artistic growth, but also addresses deep and current themes that resonate with the audience. Their introspective lyrics and atmospheric sound evoke feelings of melancholy, mystery, and rebellion, creating a unique atmosphere for listeners. Bandcamp 試聴 https://hoffen.bandcamp.com/album/proteos-la-deconstrucci-n-de-los-hechos

Z-POP-Records – Z-POP-002 (2023) I spent a big part of my short life with guitars, pedals, synths, drummachines and melancholy. As Karl Kave I feel free to expose my music. As Karl Kave I don’t need to give a shit. Whenever it is possible, the first take is the last. I’m sure there’s some truth in this. Traurig schauen die Berge umfasst 5 Winter in der Ostschweiz. Es handelt vom Föhn, den Mythen die diesen umgeben,vom Rhein und von der Tamina. Manische Versessenheit und poetische Logorrhoe. Zu schön um um wahr zu sein und zu sprunghaft um verstanden zu werden. Traurig schauen die Berge" combines a homerecording sound with sureal lyrics that reflect living in rural switzerland. Diving into a odd walk of inner repetitions. A friend called it Föhn Wave. A strangely warm Wind from the Alps. There are tales and studies about the Föhn driving people mad. Inducing headaches at least. Where I live is plenty of föhn. I tried to get into a coherent world of phonetical thinking. All decorated by two neglected consumer class synths. The Yamaha TQ5, that looks like a telephone answering machine and the Korg DW6000, the last cheap analog polysynth from back in the days. The mastering of Pete Burns (Kill Shelter) did it's best to put the audio together and Luca Schenardis illustration work gave the album a home in the visual world. Advent 2023 Bandcamp 試聴 https://karlkave.bandcamp.com/album/traurig-schauen-die-berge

Young And Cold Records – YCR/161 (2023) Plague Pits is a collective from Bern and Zurich, Switzerland. Inspired by the D.I.Y. electronic tape underground of yore, they play disco dirges for the Anthropocene – cold wave for a heating planet. "The minimalist black-and-white aesthetics of the covers of the subsequent Plague Pits releases is, in a way, a harbinger of their musical form, which consists of sparse, rhythmic analog synth sounds, sensitively dosed melodiousness, good lyrics sung by a superb male voice, as well as a kind of - almost synth pop – lightness.” (Szymon Gołąb, Wave Press) PUNISHMENT & EXTINCTION compiles some of the stand-out tracks from an array of self-released, cassette-only EPs Plague Pits have put out since late 2021. On the ten songs they touch on topics like humanities failure to face the climate crisis (“Golden Age of Carnage”, “Exterminator”) or the dehumanizing effects of neoliberalism (“The Numinous”, “Divide – Subtract”), while running the gamut of “Kraftwerk-like clinical machine-funk rhythms, the stripped-down polyrhythms of Cabaret Voltaire, the surreal unpredictability of the Residents, the adrenaline pumping dancefloor New Beat of DAF, Neon Judgment and Front 242 combined with a not insignificant Euro Synthpop-style wistful melodic appeal" (Fabrizio Lusso, White Light // White Heat). These songs are released for the first time on CD and Vinyl by Young & Cold Records. Mastering by Daniel Hallhuber at Young & Cold Studio. «Their new album adresses topics such as the climate crisis and the dehumanizing effects of neoliberalism […] it’s angular, distinctive, nostalgic, and dancey as fuck.” (Dani Ashes, Cemetery Confessions Podcast) Bandcamp 試聴 https://thisisplaguepits.bandcamp.com/album/punishment-extinction

Young And Cold Records – YCR/157 (2023) GLARING is a good example of how the music world has changed in recent years. You no longer need a complete Band, Demo recordings that are sent out at great expense, a Record Company, a Studio, a Distributor, a Boking Agency, a Promotion Agency... Anna Nin from Bremen/NorthernGermany shows how it works with her project GLARING. In home recording, songs are continuously recorded, which is no problem with today's technical possibilities. These are then uploaded to various music platforms, promoted on Social Media and spread through word of mouth without any commercial companies in the background. At some point, Labels become aware, first small ones, which then release cassettes, then slightly bigger ones, which release a Vinyl Compilation of the previous songs, and at some point larger Record Companies, which then release a new album in the “classic” way. Of course it's not as easy as it sounds, but many bands in the Postpunk/Darkwave scene have developed this way in the last 10 years. But the most important thing is that the music is good, otherwise it's no use... And that's where GLARING scores perfectly. You can hear almost completely instrumental music – the voice fits in in the background as a kind of additional instrument - and often minimal Darkwave, which invites you to dream and indulge. The influences are diverse and can often be found in the 80s. Spacey synth sounds, melodic bass lines and always beautifully wavy guitars. If the overall framework weren't so atmospherically warm, you might call it Coldwave - because this sound was never as cool as the name suggests. One feels reminded of some releases from the Lively Art label from France, sometimes a bit of 4AD - CocteauTwins, Frazier Chorus... Bands like Sad Lovers And Giants or Clan Of Xymox come to mind and yes, when it comes to guitars, The Cure definitely comes to mind. From the actiual scene, acts like Isla Ola come to mind, which offer a similar atmosphere… Music to let yourself go and pause. Bandcamp 試聴 https://glaring.bandcamp.com/album/void

Young And Cold Records – YCR/147 (2023) Second edition of the successful album "Paharda" was the 3rd studio album and was first released in Russia (2020), re-released as CDr in Germany (Minimalkombinat) and on Tape and Vinyl in the US (Death Shadow Records). Bandcamp 試聴 https://nurnbergminsk.bandcamp.com/album/paharda