Empathy Test

If there was an actual empathy test other than in the dystopian future of Blade Runner, then the new double A side single: Demons/Seeing Stars, by London based electro popsters of the same name passes with flying colours. 

The soon-to-be released Empathy Test track Demons shines bright in the musical firmament as they explore the nature of jealousy in the human condition. It's available on September 9th and is a precursor to their much vaunted and eagerly awaited debut album.

It's swirling synths and infectious beats create an understated anthemic electro soundscape and Empathy Test further lure the listener in with a cleverly written web of evocative lyrics that tells of passion and infatuation.

“and now she wakes up, every day and she invites, all of my demons to play.”

Isaac Howlett and Adam Relf formed Empathy Test after discovering a mutual love of eighties sci-fi soundtracks, nineties guitar bands and underground dance music. With echoes of CHVRCHES and Purity Ring, their sound has been described as Future Pop, Dark Wave and numerous other variations along similar themes.

Akira

Probably the most influential example of Anime is Akira which was based on the Manga by the legendary Katsuhiro Otomo.  Set in the post-apocalyptic community of Neo-Tokyo the hero Tetsuo is a fiercely individualistic member of a  motorcycle gang and challenges the despotic authorities, the robot-like police.  



There are certain science-fiction films, such as Ridley Scott's Blade Runner that are so well crafted that they can influence a genre for decades to come.  Akira, which has been around for some 20 odd years (and currently undergoing a much criticised Hollywood remake.  Production was recently halted as the script was re-worked), has similarly cast a very long shadow over science fiction and also animation.  

Another thing it shares with Blade Runner is how it always offers up something new or missed with each and every viewing.  The plot may seem straightforward to some, vague to others, following the futuristic Neo-Tokyo biker gang in a dystopian society, whose lives are forever changed after an accidental run-in with a secret government-run project dealing with telekinetic powers in children.  Style and substance are both fulfilled in this thrilling, bold landmark film that will never become dated.

Mono Life

Now Ralph always likes to check out a band or artist with their very own rock dog and Mono Life (aka musician/DJ/producer Mark Osborne) from Hull fits the bill with the very lovely Beryl who's looking a bit mean and moody in the picture, kind of like her old man's brand of synth based, heavy beats.  These are well represented by the 'Mono Sound' EP due to be released 11th April.

Mono Sound is a highly addictive track with it's heavy beat pulsing throughout the track, accentuating the lighter almost dance-floor electronica and it has featured recently on local BBC Introducing.  

If this taster EP with superb remixes by Endoflevelbaddie, AbeZilla, Cat Sized Panda and Sham Getz is a reflection of the debut album due out later this year, we're in for a real treat.  Jen and Ally on BBC 1 Introducing were so impressed they gave Mono Life a spin on their show recently.




Here's a fascinating collaboration with fellow east coast producer Cat Sized Panda with Mono Life doing a 'Deep Space Remix' of Panda's track 'Seraphim'.  Self-styled knob twiddler Cat Sized Panda aka John Sorensen-Jones has also been the subject of some interest BBC Intro-wise with the release of a debut single and album.







Mono Life's sound was born in the 90's with diverse influences such as Orbital, Leftfield and DJ Shadow combining to bring to you a unique and often sci-fi infused sound, well represented by a track like 'Dark Star Theory' with its 'Blade Runner'-esque narrative.  Such is the quality of the track it managed to sneak its way onto BBC Radio 6's Tom Robinson 'Extra gems' track listing last week.







There's going to be launch party for the EP in @Fruit (62-63 Humber Street, Kingston-on-Hull) 8th March with a live performance by Mono Life and DJ sets by Robbo, Pete Robinson and Sizzle Sisters.  Get in there and get on the dance floor!

After that 'The Skull' will be playing The Urban Bar in London's Whitechapel with Abezilla on the 30th March.