Following the success of their critically lauded 2021 album Afraid To Leave, the Berlin-based post-punk outfit Bleib Modern extended an invitation to their artistic comrades to reinterpret their songs, leading to the creation of 2 Afraid 2 Leave. This compilation of diverse covers showcases an array of remixes and reimaginings from notable figures in the darkwave, post-punk, and EBM genres.
2 Afraid 2 Leave showcases a spectrum of creative reinterpretations that breathe new life into its tracks. The KVB infuses the opener, Glow, with a spikier, club-ready edge, while Dune Messiah’s rendition of Loony Voices morphs the track into a frenetic and eerie echo with an unexpected twist of Spaghetti Western flair. IV Horsemen reimagines Bitter Smile as a brooding darkwave anthem, whereas Grotto Terrazza’s bossa nova spin on Your Skin cleverly nods to early Depeche Mode vibes. Meanwhile, X!lit Klaus’s rendition of Sleep clashes with metallic, resonant clamor, creating an incessant racket that ironically invigorates, reminiscent of Fad Gadget’s avant-garde experiments.
Bring Her’s interpretation of Portrait echoes a haunting synergy reminiscent of Kim Gordon and Xmal Deutschland, as if unearthing a long-lost collaboration. Soaked is transformed by Promille Grazie into an eerie echo that reverberates with the distinctive melancholy of The Cure. Meanwhile, The Underground Youth’s exquisite cover of Around Your Arms carries the profound intensity of Nick Cave, imbuing the track with a gravitas and soul-stirring howl. Shad Shadows takes a stab at Walls, whirling us into the space with wildly swooshing flangers, launching into an echoing, haunting vocal reminiscent of Interpol.
Listen to 2 Afraid 2 Leave below, and order the remix album here:
Accompanying the new version of Into The Night, covered by M!R!M!, is a visually arresting music video, the handiwork of the band’s drummer, Thomas Schamann, endearingly referred to as “glitchboy.” This self-directed clip artfully stitches together scenes from their vibrant Fall 2021 tour with M!R!M. As it unfolds, the video traverses the landscapes of Germany, France, and the Czech Republic, each frame offering an intimate lens into Bleib Modern’s vigorous live performances and their creative journey. It’s a piece that not only complements the music but also provides a window into the band’s spirited sojourns and artistic endeavours.
Das Beat infuses Glow with a funky Krautrock essence, complemented by vocals that carry a hint of Marlene Dietrich’s sinister allure. Blind Delon’s take on Loony Voices veers into the realm of the nightmarish, marked by its hauntingly distorted vocals. The compilation concludes with Nox’s rendition of “Sleep,” tenderly reimagined as a soothing piano ballad.
With 2 Afraid 2 Leave you can enjoy Bleib Modern’s music from a different perspective while the band is working on brand new material.
The visual identity of 2 Afraid 2 Leave is the collaborative creation of Thomas Schamann and Peter Zeitner, with the album’s audio meticulously mastered for vinyl by Ruud Lekx. The album finds its home with Wave Tension Records for its vinyl incarnation and Icy Cold Records for the CD format.
You can hear the original Afraid To Leave here:
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