In the culturally diverse landscape of Montréal, Canadian artist DELPREzTON (VHS, Cocktails, Les Mouettes) has distinguished himself as a multi-instrumentalist virtuoso. Drawing on an eclectic palette of influences, from the moody nuances of post-punk and goth rock to the pulsating rhythms of electronic and the raw edge of grunge, he crafts a sound that is undeniably his own.
His latest offering, an EP titled “DEAD PARROT SKETCH,” made its debut on September 28th, 2023. Among its standout tracks is the first single, “PASSION/AGRESSION.” This moody piece, with its fiery energy, syncopated beats, and fuzzy undertones, captures the essence of post-punk in a manner that is invigorating and nostalgic – channeling elements of Killing Joke, Sisters of Mercy, ACTORS, and Depeche Mode.
DELPREzTON’s raw baritone barks through the guitar soundscape with an ominous energy. The vocals, drenched in reverb, meander between melancholic introspection and bursts of raw emotion, encapsulating the very duality that the title suggests. There’s a tension between restraint and release, a dance between the cerebral and the visceral.
As PASSION/AGRESSION weaves its spellbinding narrative, one can’t help but marvel at its capacity to feel both vintage and entirely of the moment—a melancholic anthem for the modern age. The track immediately draws parallels to the haunting soundscapes of Joy Division: that unmistakable blend of brooding basslines, sparse yet intricate guitar work, and ethereal synths. One can’t help but be transported to the foggy streets of Manchester in the late ’70s, yet there’s an unmistakable contemporary edge to it—a kind of urgency that speaks to today’s zeitgeist.
The rest of the album follows suit, even sprinkling in a “hint of grunge,” as the artist says – particularly with opener Ultra Agile, with its megaphone vocals, and the Alice In Chains-esque closing track L’Esprit du malin. There is an homage to actress Piper Perabo, as well as an eerie synthwave number addressing the mysterious Viktor Banal.
Listen to the Dead Parrot Sketch EP below:
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