Anyone who’s a fan of Bauhaus, their follow-up venture Love & Rockets, David Bowie, Iggy Pop or, extra not too long ago, Edwyn Collins ought to know the reclusive but well-respected publish punk artist referred to as Les Techno. Lauded for years in the New York music scene for his witty, satirical lyrics and clean guitar work that rivals the nice Robert Fripp, Techno additionally loves working with synths and manufacturing, making his work in style not solely in the publish punk world however in the more and more much less area of interest EDM/experimental electronica crossover world. His latest single, “Make You Feel Good” is ideal instance of why Les Techno is so revered, and it additionally occurs to be a chill, low key, lofi bop.
If his discography is something to go by, it’s truly been a minute since Les Techno launched one among his tongue-in-cheek, punky tracks. The final one, “The Modern Twist,” launched in late 2021 and was extra rock ahead, with a type of rockabilly kick to Techno’s guitar work that made it extraordinarily catchy, though not fairly sufficient electronica for YEDM. Sometimes Les Techno’s stuff has extra techno, typically it has much less (cue trombone going “wah wah”), however it’s at all times enjoyable and attention-grabbing, each in model and in substance. Techno can vacillate from 80s-style, synth-driven work like late-era Chris Rea to junkyard nation a’la Tom Waits inside the identical tune while showcasing his reward for ambient, oftentimes shoegazey guitar work.
The model factors are actually there with Les Techno, however he’s additionally identified for his biting wit inside his lyrics. His post-apocalyptic, typically desolate music is supposed to go with and drive house the purpose of every tune, so even in the event you’re not listening to the vocals, the music will give audiences the eerie tone of dystopia, whether or not they’re on the lookout for it or not. Often stuffed with social commentary and warnings about what our actions now might price us in the longer term.
“Make You Feel Good” begins out with a basic Waits-esque story of boy meets woman however rapidly turns right into a touch upon the American dream and the unexamined life; the title and lyric pose a query about whether or not the home, automotive and a pair of.5 youngsters is what most individuals truly need or if it’s simply an antiquated advertising and marketing gimmick. As society is quickly altering and individuals are questioning their way of life decisions increasingly more, it looks as if message to launch proper now. With no judgement and a few attractive, pre-wall of sound guitar work a’la Bowie’s Heroes period, Techno offers listeners the choice to determine how this observe – and their desires for the longer term – make them really feel.
After recording tracks with the likes of Run DMC and Mob Deep, Les Techno’s solo work appears to be much less about what others’ desires are and extra about the kind of music he needs to launch. It stands to cause that he would launch tracks that encourage others to ensure they’re not following another person’s path. The incontrovertible fact that he’s capable of do it in cool, dreamy, lofi swathes of music permits for much more contemplation. Here’s hoping “Make You Feel Good” makes its listeners really feel good in wanting ahead to extra new tracks from this publish punk prodigy.
“Make You Feel Good” is out now and could be streamed on Spotify.
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