Photo by Dave Mante
Emanating from the gloomy clutches of sorrow and the radiant summits of romance, Dresden synthpop/New Wave quartet, Dry Skin, introduces their inaugural single, the deliciously icy Again and Again.
Fueled by an unabashed adoration for the lo-fi synth reverberations of the 80s and the unadorned frameworks of Nowave and Neue Deutsche Welle compositions, Dry Skin—comprising drummer Simon Herzog, synth aficionado Bernd van den Broedericken, bass virtuoso John Köhler, and the enigmatic Robert E. Smith—craves a return to elemental music-making. In their tunes, one might discern a whisper of homage to the likes of Grauzone, Tom Vek, DAF, Fad Gadget, and The Normal, albeit with a blend of earnest musical exploration and a wry nod to their forebears.
Frontman Robert E. Smith casts a droll eye over his surroundings: a weary landscape marred by the excesses of hyper-capitalism. He muses on the irony of nations once exploited now turning the tables, the absurdity of skyrocketing real estate prices, the unsettling rise of neo-fascist factions, and the universal quest for a brighter tomorrow. Amidst this tumult, he seeks solace in the pursuit of personal tranquility and affection within his own small enclave.
The video for the song is as minimalist as the song itself, with a charming DIY choreography video starring dancer Cindy Hammer.
“I am really happy to have found a visualization of the forever returning stupidity of human behavior the lyrics are about,” Smith reflects. “Cindy Hammer…displays that perfectly in her dance moves, running in circles and going back and forth.”
Watch the video below:
Dry Skin’s Again and Again is now available on Bandcamp. The vinyl single will be available in April via the band’s ownBlood Service.
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