On the mist-enshrouded Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Suffer Fools emerges as a unique music project skillfully fusing shoegaze with darkwave elements. Helmed by D. Debased, it has a riveting history that spans childhood fame and a near breakthrough into pop stardom amidst personal challenges. Performing in local venues, Suffer Fools has shared stages with acts like Devours, Kellarissa, and Lightning Dust, captivating audiences with their haunting melodies.
From the same cultural landscape, Avro, a duo comprising Atom Percy and Megan Rose, distinguishes itself with a unique sound. Drawing inspiration from the golden age of synthpop and the dynamic energy of new wave, their creations echo influences from The Human League to Goldfrapp.
The recent collaboration between Avro and Suffer Fools has resulted in a captivating auditory experience. In this endeavor, Avro reimagines Suffer Fools’ “What Kind of Mania,” infusing it with a downtempo trip-hop flavor that nods respectfully to iconic influences such as Massive Attack, Lamb, and Junkie XL, with subtle echoes of Cocteau Twins discernible through the Otherness Remix EP. This reinvented version stands out for its distinct and immersive sound.
The music here blends into something without a straightforward style and combines contemporary synths with dub music. The atmosphere is dark, and the acoustics are unique, with a sound that reverberates off of ice-cold walls. This track, along with its shadowy companion video, offers a chilling experience that is as smooth as silk but tightly wrapped in terror.
The lyrics confess to playing a part scripted by obsession, rehearsing lines until they’re etched into the soul. It’s a relentless pursuit of an elusive other, a journey too far gone to abandon. Yet, amidst this cosmic chase, there’s a stark realization—a shooting star that fades to black, leaving behind only the echo of disarray and a final, defiant exit. To be, after all, is to stand alone in the spotlight’s glare, realizing the other was never more than a shadow.
In Atom Percy’s directorial hands, the remix video unfolds as a Lynchian descent into the surreal, painting a chilling tableau where a face, bathed in an eerie green hue, melts into the obscure corners of reality. From the enigmatic stillness of a tree grove to the desolation of an empty parking lot, and the endless whisper of a dark highway, each frame is a doorway to the liminal. The haunting dance of a spinning tape reel anchors this journey as fire engulfs a skull.
Experience the haunting remix and its enigmatic video below:
Find the track on Bandcamp here:
Find the original version of “What Kind of Mania” here:
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