Dutch electropop band North Star go in at the deep end on their third studio album. Its title, Death indicates that there are no Hollywood endings to be found, but their overall sound is a bit lighter, thanks to clear tone of new band member guitarist Mark Schimmel. The band's composer and multi-instrumentalist René Postma does not try to hide his love for Depeche Mode, which is all over bass and keyboard parts. In their niche is quite unusual to go into acoustic territory, so it comes as a nice surprise to hear them trying their hand at progressive folk with Better Place, a showcase for the softer side of Anne-Linn Beekhof's vocal range.
Death is an album about life - no pun intended. Shit happens, and some of it is pretty damning and hard to cope with, but they won't let it bring them down. Facing their demons (Intrusion) and being pissed off (Just My Luck) won't solve anything, but it will make them feel better for sure.
The band's good-natured obsession with dark 80s synth pop does not sound dated at all, thanks to Roy Mitchell-Cárdenas who played drums on Read The Sign and was once again in charge of the production and mixing. Percussionist Peter ten Wolde was called upon to show his versality, laying the groundwork with a wide variety of patterns.
Tracks:- Big Oak
- Take The Moon
- Better Place
- Intrusion
- Just My Luck
- Side Up
- Peace In Mind
- Read The Sign
Death is a self-released album (vinyl, digital). Buy it from their website. Release date: September 12.
Live date:- 09/12 Zwolle, Netherlands @ Hedon (album release show)
HCTF review of North Star II
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