Bootblacks offer a gothic melancholia bounced back and forth on synth-pop beats, a menacing vision of gloom that’s infectious. Bootblacks’ post-punk/new-wave sensibility is beautifully paired with Panther Macdonald’s vocals. They’re straight out of the post-punk catalogue: romantic, dramatic, seductive. The band promises a seedier vision of NYC, one of decadence and decay. Their newest work offers a more sophisticated sonic aesthetic, so make sure to check out their new album “Fragments” from (appropriately named, for this release) Manic Depression Records, available 09.14. —Amanda Ogea
