The recycling of 80s sounds in the current electronic scene often sends chills down our spines – we were there in the 80s, and THAT music was a big chunk of what we rebelled against (how naive of us…). While some of today’s artists perform a true, more or less ironic revival of that period by faithfully recreating its most cliche’ sonics, new Brooklyn based duo Cardiknox offers a more intriguing musical product, at least in the only single available so far, entitled "Hold Me Down" (streaming). First of all this track is a proper song, with well structured verse, chorus, chord changes AND a bridge (two elements that, respectively, electronic acts and pretty much all emerging bands tend to be allergic to). Secondly, the 80s influences are not exclusively referencing the usual suspects, offering a rather aggressive production that’s reminiscent of some Duran Duran stuff we were too young to rebel against (they were awesome up to "Seven and the Ragged Tiger" anyway). The result is a sound that feels much edgier and original than your average records by 80s inspired electro artists.
If this band’s future material is as good as this song – and if singer Lonnie Angle can deliver live as she does on record – this band could go places. See them live at The Knit on August 10.
We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best Electronic songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!