In the quiet of dawn, a renegade’s smile and whispered prayers to an unseen god evoke an eerie calm. Fingertips touch lips in fleeting joy, while an angelic presence brings both uplift and dread. Secrets unfold, questioning love and divinity. As ancient scripts are studied, fatal kisses seal a doomed embrace, blending ecstasy and despair.
This vignette sets the stage for Angel, the latest from Brooklyn darkwave artist BEHOR, the alter ego of the multifaceted Haim Jacobs. Emerging from the crucible of a Hasidic upbringing, BEHOR’s music is a defiant outcry against the oppressive chains of his past. His journey is marked by the scars of mistreatment and the biting winds of homophobia within Orthodox Jewish circles, giving birth to a haunting anthem of longing and rebellion.
This haunting anthem explores the depths of forbidden desire, narrating a clandestine romance between BEHOR and an Orthodox Jewish rabbi. The song delves into the shadows of their concealed longings, crafting a vivid and visceral portrayal of defiance and yearning, as they navigate the complexities of their forbidden connection.
With Angel, BEHOR (an Arabic word meaning ‘firstborn’) confronts the fears and consequences of forbidden desire, calling for liberation from the suffocating grip of a homophobic upbringing. His music navigates the entrapment, revealing a paradoxical life of piety by day….and indulgence by night. BEHOR’s haunting melodies and lyrics offer a glimpse into this dual existence, seeking change and freedom from past chains.
Drawing from the ethereal influences of shoegaze, darkwave, and EBM, BEHOR weaves a haunting symphony of shimmering synths, resonant guitars, dark basslines, and evocative melodies. Their sound echoes the spectral tones of Cocteau Twins, London After Midnight, Bronski Beat, Perfume Genius, and Clan of Xymox. With live bandmates Dusk Malice and Kotoji, and Ike Illogbu, BEHOR conjures an enigmatic and otherworldly realm.
Listen to “Angel” below:
BEHOR began as a keyboard player at Jewish weddings and Bar Mitzvahs, evolving into a producer and songwriter by age twelve. A pivotal moment came when a family friend introduced him to Cocteau Twins, shifting his musical perspective entirely. This encounter led him to embrace the realms of goth and darkwave, shaping his path and devotion to these haunting genres.
In BEHOR’s lyrical realm, there is a raw exploration of religious trauma and societal stigmas. Embracing the mantra “Simultaneously dark and glittery,” BEHOR invites listeners to confront their inner shadows and embrace individuality amid chaos. In his world, boundaries dissolve, leaving only the relentless pursuit of truth, freedom, and the tantalizing allure of the unknown.
Since relocating to Brooklyn in the summer of 2023, BEHOR has released two singles. Child debuted in September 2023, followed by Culbertson Drive, a raw exploration of the pain of human existence.
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