Regaining autonomy after a toxic relationship is a profound and essential transformation. It means reclaiming one’s sense of self, independence, and control that the abuser sought to diminish. This path involves healing deep emotional scars, rebuilding one’s self-worth, and redefining personal boundaries. It is about rediscovering one’s voice and strength, making choices that honor one’s well-being. Restoring autonomy is vital for moving forward, embracing self-empowerment, and stepping into a life unshackled from the shadows of past abuse. Curtain’s powerful new single and video, Against The Wall, touches upon this theme, and the power one has to overcome these moments of darkness.
Sometimes, out of silence, unexpected and precious music movements arise. Curtain is one such phenomenon. The French band’s debut album, No Flowers By Request in 2000, and their 2006 release Urban Disease, have cemented them as torchbearers of the French coldwave scene, blending melody with a raw, energetic intensity. After a long hiatus, they marked the 20th anniversary of No Flowers by Request with a deluxe reissue in November 2021 via MusikÖeye.
Between 2022 and 2023, Curtain reasserted their presence with numerous gigs, sharing the stage with Christian Death, Selofan, and Kontravoid. During this period, the duo of Ema.B (guitar & vocals) and François P (bass) crafted new songs, releasing three singles. Curtain’s distinct style is a fusion of danceable, powerful rhythms, syncopated melodic bass lines, unique guitar sounds and riffs, original synth samples, and intensely expressive vocals.
Against The Wall, the opening track of Curtain’s latest album, spins the tale of a woman’s desperate escape from her partner’s violence. While dark, it is not without hope. This post-punk anthem ushers listeners into the band’s world, depicting a night fraught with internal battles. She resists the pull of home, evading violence and unexpected threats. Amidst the silence and mental turmoil, she fights on, determined not to surrender to the insidious grip of her fears.
In the video below, we find ourselves drawn into a nocturnal tale. A woman wanders through various spaces, each more enigmatic than the last, as she tries to evade a mysterious masked figure. Her journey through the night is both haunting and surreal, a dance of light and darkness, fear and determination.
Watch the video for “Against the Wall” below:
Curtain have long been a prominent force in the French coldwave music scene. Their distinct blend of melodic, energetic, and intense sounds has garnered them a dedicated following, both in their home country and beyond.
Curtain’s new album Between Us, released on 17 March by Manic Depression Records, features eight tracks that traverse a landscape of melodic pop, dark-electro, post-punk, and indie rock.
Following their release party at Cirque Electrique in Paris, Curtain performed live on 25 May 2024 at Le Trabendo, sharing the stage with iconic bands Martin Dupont and Corpus Delicti. During this event, their new video for Against the Wall was showcased.
Curtain’s Between Us is out now. Order Here
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