If you like futurepop, industrial, or synth pop, I guarantee you will like the new Martial Cantrele album, You Today. Sean McBride of Xeno & Oaklander fame released his second solo album under the moniker Martial Canterele, coining a new name along with a new album to really introduce his solo work to the world.
This album really is the epitome of synth pop. It’s dark, melancholic, and matches the late winter weather of February pretty perfectly. Writing this during a thunderstorm, it is the perfect backdrop with the layered analog tracks and almost painfully lonely lyrics. It’s crafted with precision, noisy in a very unique way, however it still boasts a very simple structure overall. This balances out lyrics that are clearly yearning for something, philosophical and yet almost obscenely emotionless in the way they are sung. It’s an odd juxtaposition, but it works way too well to have it any other way.
The eleven track album is pretty decent overall. It’s full of meaning, full of longing, full of a lot of varied dark emotions. It’s amazing background music, amazing melancholy relaxing music, amazing companion to a good book or a long drive on a rainy day. However, if you are not already a fan of synth based music, futurepop, or any associated sub genre, it may not be the best album to pick up as your first glimpse of the genre. Do some research, listen around, and then pick it up once you’ve had some exposure. If you are veteran of the genres, go pick it up. It will find a unique place in your music collection and a unique place in your heart.
Track Listing:
01. Occupy These Terms
02. Market
03. Sidestreets
04.The Empty Sand
05. Still a Part
06. Some Days
07. You Today
08. Secret Stores
09. Don’t Let Me Go
10. Playfair
11. For Us
