Architrave’s latest stint involves a flirtation with the mundane horrors of office life. Their fresh anthem, “No Days Off,” is a biting critique on the tedious monotony of 9-to-5 jobs, packaged neatly with the shimmering beats of drum-and-bass, jittery keys, and the raw edge of a bass guitar. Vocally, the upstate New York duo delivers the angst and exasperation known all too well by those ensnared in soulless corporate cages, handing over their very essence to the greedy claws of late capitalism.
The lyrics to “No Days Off” touch upon the relentless cycle of labour, and how it overrides the desire to provide and nurture. The lyrics speak of sacrifice and the dedication of one’s precious life to a continuous grind, emphasizing the demands of a never-ending work grind. The pressure to perform productivity under glaring fluorescent lights is highlighted; the spikes of adrenaline never quite enough to satiate these energetic vampires.
In the video, Jennifer Maher Coleman, this time, is a picture of overdressed tyranny: a bonafide Rococo managerial succubus. With as much of a nod to the French Revolution as to Office Space, one thing is certain: this girlboss has too much time (and too many Powerpoint slides) on her hands! Poor Paul Coleman, reduced to a mere lackey, seems to be caught in a time loop from the seventh circle of Hell. Their dance? An odd mix of dull conference room confrontations and manic pursuits down endless bland corridors that surely have seen better days. The confusing labyrinth is the same as any other institution, be it rat race or asylum…it’s all the same.
One can’t help but wonder: will Paul ever manage to break free, or is he doomed to forever shuffle papers under her watchful, and slightly maddening, gaze?
The Colemans, under the guise of Architrave, have whipped up a sound that’s a delightful cocktail of 80’s New-Wave nostalgia, Jennifer’s stint on the turntables spinning house tunes, and Paul’s eclectic forays into indie-rock and electronic beats. Their vibe has, more than once, brought to mind an intriguing mix of the atmospheric Beach House, the experimental Laurie Anderson, the iconic Grace Jones, Joy Division, Cocteau Twins, and even the centuries-old notes of Hildegard von Bingen.
Their third musical outing, “Out Of My Mind and Into Yours,” dives headfirst into the puzzling realm of identity, the fleeting nature of time, and our complex dance with places both past and present. In true Architrave fashion, they’ve layered in both deep introspection and a smidgen of wit.
Lovers of the retro will appreciate this: each track gets its own video, all of which will be delightfully packaged in a throwback VHS. Mark your calendars for 9/16/23 and prepare to find this treasure in VHS, vinyl, and CD.
“Out Of My Mind and Into Yours” is out on September 15, 2023.
Stream “No Days Off’ here, and/or order the forthcoming new album on vinyl, CD, and even the aforementioned VHS here.
Catch Architrave along with F You Tammy! and A Place Both Wonderful and Strange on 9/9 at Rockaway Brewing’s next Night Tide event in NYC.
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