Pale as The Moon at Night — Listen to the Icy Darkwave of Night in Athens’ “Wasted Reflektions” LP

Words unspoken, meanings arise

In the realm of silence, where wisdom lies

Night In Athens is an artist who inhabits the liminal spaces between genres, exuding an uncanny theatricality and atmosphere that few contemporaries can match. Her music feels like an unearthed cassette from the archives of European minimal synth and cold wave labels, yet it pulses with a modern vitality. Her work is a bridge between the haunting echoes of the past and the stark realities of the present, merging the spectral beauty of old-school post-punk with the raw, visceral energy of modern darkwave.

Night in Athens burst onto the East London music scene in 2020, crafting a dark synth landscape that feels like the soundtrack to a haunting, otherworldly dream. Her music immerses listeners in a phantasmagorical realm where sci-fi and dark fantasy collide, driven by the relentless beat of synthesizers. Her voice, shifting from soft murmurs to piercing cries, weaves through the tracks, uncovering the hidden decay beneath society’s polished facade. Each composition serves as a gothic requiem, unearthing long-buried secrets and laying bare the harsh realities of human existence. Guiding listeners through a labyrinth of shadowy corridors and hidden chambers, their music is a dark and sensual excavation of the soul. It’s a chilling, somber melody that peels back facades to expose the raw, unvarnished truths and the frail vulnerability lurking beneath.

Now, Night In Athens has recently released their latest full-length album, “Wasted Reflections.” The album delves into themes of isolation, regret, and haunted thoughts, creating vivid portraits of individuals finding solace in shadows, grappling with identity and self-worth, and feeling the weight of paralysis and guilt. The songs in the album serve as a compelling guide into an abyss of chaos and despair, painting a vivid picture of an unsettling inner world whose turmoils are assuaged through the power of music.

The album opens strong with Pale Rose, a song heavily channeling Anne Clark’s pulses and poetics. It depicts a figure with skin as pale as the moon and veins running cold like icy streams. They find comfort in shadows and dreams, using a pale rose as a mask and wrapping themselves in garments of sorrow. Shunned by society, they embrace the darkness without hesitation, seeking solace in its cold embrace.

In Nightshades, the theme of solace and awakening in the shadows takes center stage, with an eclipse heralding a shift. Nightshade, both poison and panacea, pulses through their veins as they embrace tension and siren cries. In the dark, they come alive, finding peace and bliss in a lover’s arms. They dance with the eastern breeze, shrouded in lingering obscurity, where shadows hide secrets and every moment feels stolen from the encroaching dawn.

The album’s title track, Wasted Reflektions is plagued by disarray and despair, with shattered dreams and fractured visions casting a long shadow. Echoing voices and flickering illusions reflect a mind on the brink of collapse. Behind every façade, unique agony festers, unraveling thoughts and intertwining desire with fate. It’s a haunting portrayal of a fragile mind grappling with a symphony of brokenness, caught in the relentless routine of distorted reality.

Your Shadow portrays a soul tormented by its own thoughts and past transgressions, shackled by a suffocating sense of guilt and fear, with memories that linger like unwelcome guests. The silence around them only amplifies the inner storm, as shadows of the past stalk every step. It’s a bleak dance with despair, a mind imprisoned by its own echoes, struggling to escape the inescapable darkness.

Pressure prowls like a panther in a hellish nightclub, where chaos and creation tango through blindness and bewilderment. Blood drips in relentless rhythms, painting scenes of crimson suffering. The constant call to “run” crackles with frantic urgency, leading to a twisted chase through shadowy corridors. It’s a rollercoaster ride through a haunted house, steeped in existential dread and dark delirium, where every corner holds new terrors, and escape feels like an impossible dream.

Words Unspoken, delves into the profound serenity of silence amidst the cacophony of modern existence. Initially, it may seem like a dark wave tune, yet it reveals silence as unsettling, odd, and even frightening. The lyrics portray silence as a sanctuary, a place of wisdom and peace, standing in stark contrast to the world’s turmoil. Through hushed whispers and unspoken words, the song underscores how silence offers true freedom and respite from constant demands, highlighting the modern struggle to communicate emotionally and love genuinely. Silence is often more than just a lack of sound.

Sheeeee drifts through a shadowy world of disconnection, savoring her last breath while grappling with identity and worth. The relentless repetition underscores her confusion, a struggle for control in a chaotic void. A sinister shadow questions her place and purpose, casting doubt on existence itself. It’s a dance with darkness, a silent scream in the night, where each breath is a battle, and every thought a twisting knife. In this bleak ballet, she teeters on the edge, lost in a labyrinth of her own making, seeking meaning in the shadows that refuse to release their grip.

In “Frozen Landscape,” we delve into the profound sense of being paralyzed and isolated, capturing the feeling of being trapped in one’s own mind. The protagonist of our song experiences the world spinning around them while they remain frozen, lost, and unable to break free from their thoughts. The silence overwhelms them, and the weight of despair suffocates their spirit. Their longing for a guiding light to help them escape the darkness and discover hope is palpable.

The closing track of the album, “Emotions,” captures a fervent and intense love, portraying it as a chemical reaction and revolution. Love is presented as a potent force, dismantling barriers and leaving an enduring impression. In this “war of hearts,” there’s no evading the profound impact of their connection.

Wasted Reflektions is out now via Wave Records. Listen below and order on CD and limited edition splatter vinyl here.

Night In Athens began composing and producing to exorcise her demons while confined to her East London room during lockdown. Her debut EP, METROPOLIS, dropped in 2021, featuring dark electro with a mix of punk, darkwave, and coldwave. She self-released records like 2022’s CRIME SEEN, a proto-minimal-synth cult blend with analogue synth-wave vibes, also dabbling in electroclash preachings. In under two years, Night In Athens has performed extensively across Europe and the UK, known for her visually thrilling stage shows that match her musical energy. She’s a standout in the minimal synth and cold wave revival, pairing crisp analogue synths with a detached lyrical tone.

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The b&w photos are by Peny Sotiropoulou,
Coloured one is Simone Pellegrini