WANT/ed - Harmony Under Construction

Artist: WANT/ed

CD title: Harmony Under Construction

Label: Self-released

Genre: Synthpop

WANT/ed is a Russian synthpop act out of Koenigsberg. Formed in 2010 the band has ventured away from their initial goal of an Industrial Synth project and turned into a high energy dance act reminiscent of Mesh, De/Vision, and Merge. Their second album Harmony Under Construction was released November of 2013 but so far is one of my favorite finds of 2014.

Upon listening to this album I began to scramble through my DJ catalog to find other albums to I could mix with it. If you love spinning catchy synthpop that doesn't try to show off but still has a high level of energy, then this is an album you should put in your regular rotation. The opening track, “Lust”, kicks off Harmony Under Construction in the best way possible. Futuristic synth hooks, solid beats that aren't too hard, and layers upon layers of programming that drag you down into the music. Vocalist, Evegny completes this perfect soundscape with a combination of spoken vocals that are altered just enough on the verses, and then cuts loose on the chorus with epic swells of emotion.

The album doesn't pull any punches from there. "Sweet Time", "The More We Want", and "Special" are perfect for keeping a strong dancefloor going with their infectious beats and soulful vocals. The band also explores darker and slower influences on songs like "Dreams Are Not The End", "Show Me", and "Under Skies". WANT/ed's industrial and darkwave influences show through clearly on these songs. The synths have a harder edge to them, and the vocals are tinged with a bit more bitterness. I'll be honest, the lyrics are great, but they the cover the usual gamut of subjects. Heartbreak, emotional frustration, existential worries, declarations of love. The usual fare, but WANT/ed doesn't make it feel typical.

While the album was released about 3 months ago, I couldn't have asked for anything more in an early 2014 release. I'm tempted to put it on my Top Albums for this year anyways. While I haven't been able to find much about this band they do have a Facebook page, and (more importantly) a Bandcamp site where you can pick up the full album for 7 Euros (Approx 9.45 USD) or just sample the tracks and buy what you like. I really encourage everyone to go give this album a listen and spread the word.

WANT/ed has a lot of promise and obviously know just what Synthpop fans want. Support this act and let them know we want to hear more.

Take a listen to an album preview:

 

DJ Kantrip

Buy Here: https://wanted.bandcamp.com/album/harmony-under-construction-2013