After dropping her debut full-length album “Anti Venus” this past November (preceded by two EPs released in 2009 and 2012), sound architect, vocalist and feminist force Vandana Jain has been focusing on bringing her eastern music influenced, noir electro-pop to a larger fan base through several live appearances, including one at Highline Ballroom earlier this summer. Band members Yusuke Yamamoto and Ryan Casey contribute to forging an intriguing analog sound, driven by Vandana’s sophisticated velvety vocals.
The record’s opener “Ecstatic” (streaming) is the strongest track, emphasizing distant percussive mechanical clicks and whirrs recreating sci-fi atmospheres reminiscent of Pink Floyd’s “Welcome To The Machine” sci fi experiments. Dark, foreboding (yet warm) analog synth notes pulse and rise from distant ethereal mists. Recorded at Jain’s home studio, inspiration came in part by delving into Henry Miller’s classic novel “Tropic of Cancer,” and its embrace of “the grip of delirium.” “You freak – you make me ecstatic” becomes the central, single line and rather addictive vocal hook.
Other tracks like “Claw” are less instrumentally dense, allowing more space for expressive vocals. With a style reminiscent of Kate Bush’s penultimate work combined with the modern deeper vocal textures of British pop vocalist Sophie Ellis Bextor, Ms. Jain’s voice becomes instantly appealing. While “Mask” (a track about the proverbial camouflage we all put on every day to function) is recurrently stark and minimal in places, the overall effect sounds incredibly big, and Vandana’s seductive vocal delivery makes for a delightful headphone listening experience. – Dave Cromwell
We added this song to The Deli’s playlist of Best Electronic songs by emerging NYC artists – check it out!