Daily life is sucking up my will
Making me suffer the ordeal of the wheel,
The winds of change… Have stopped blowing
From the hushed outskirts of Lille, France, Neurasthenic emerges like a distant lantern flickering in a windswept promenade. Born under Sébastien’s guiding hand (once a driving force in the North Pope collective), this coldwave project distills the ache of human existence into stirring melodies and palpable rhythms—small sparks of truth flickering against a darkened sky. Their debut album, Life of Pain (skillfully mixed and mastered by Kurs/Valerio Rivieccio), drinks deeply from the spectral wells of The Sound, Chameleons, Tuxedomoon, and Bauhaus, twisting these influences into something both timeless and fiercely personal. With snarling bursts from Ausgang’s Mark Freeth on “Pitch Black,” whispered specters from Carlo Van Putten on “Just For A Moment,” harmonic shadows cast by Sylvain L. Daems on the title track, and the low-lit resonance of Xzvrey from Night Train To Nowhere through most of the record, the album becomes a vivid séance of isolation, longing, and whispered confessions. Add in the contributions of the North Pope collective to “Routine,” and the result is a multi-layered collision of classic post-punk collaborations that deepens the album’s emotional heft. Here, despair and estrangement dance slowly together, forging an unflinching portrait of the bruised soul within us all.
The album opens in earnest with the track “Routine” (feat. Night Train To Nowhere & North Pope), featuring a dreamlike synth line that evokes a sense of monotony. This feeling intensifies as warm drums and a driving bassline propel the track forward. The catchy vocal hook highlights a quiet desperation for change, expressing a faint plea beneath the heavy weight of inertia. Influences from the North Pope collective are strongly felt here; they not only contributed to the track but also produced the accompanying music video, reinforcing a swirling texture that paints a vivid picture of a life trapped in an endless loop.
“Alprazolam” (feat. Night Train To Nowhere) unfurls with the ethereal quality of Cocteau Twins and the melancholic allure of Asylum Party. Its shimmering dreampop textures capture fleeting euphoria, soaring on romantic melodies that mask the creeping detachment of dependency. As the balance between relief and despair tips, the track transforms into a haunting reflection on the fragility of solace.
“In Possession” (feat. Night Train To Nowhere) spirals into a haunting cascade of post-punk melodies, evoking the claustrophobic weight of depression. Its relentless rhythm mirrors the ceaseless churn of inner battles, with cascading guitars amplifying the feeling of falling deeper into one’s own mind. Paranoia becomes a suffocating force, amplified by sharp, cutting riffs that echo unseen judgment.
“Just for a Moment” (feat. Carlo Van Putten) pulses with a thick, danceable bassline that anchors the track’s wistful energy. Carlo Van Putten (The Convent, White Rose Transmission, Dead Guitars) injects a spectral grace, recalling the elegance of Bowie’s Low era. The song wrestles with the fleeting nature of time, where innocence and loss collide, leaving behind the ache of wounds unhealed and truths unresolved.
“The Cold Wave” (feat. Night Train To Nowhere) envelopes listeners in warm, breath-like production that contrasts with its icy themes. The vocals drift over an echoing, melodic soundscape that conjures the bleak vastness of a frozen sea. Each note feels like a cold wind cutting through the warmth, painting an intricate picture of loss and longing.
“Life of Pain” (feat. Night Train To Nowhere & Sylvain L. Daems) begins with the pinging of sonar, signaling a journey into deep introspection. Sighing synths weave through danceable beats, old-school post-punk guitars, and coldwave hooks. Sylvain L. Daems’ contribution enriches the track’s emotional core, underscoring its authenticity to the 1983-1985 era. The gripping, catchy melody anchors a raw exploration of alienation and resilience.
“Pitch Black” (feat. Mark Freeth) crawls with a slow, brooding intensity, capturing the deliberate moodiness of Positive-Punk-era goth rock. Mark Freeth’s snarling bursts infuse this piece with a raw energy that heightens the track’s sense of isolation and longing, while its unyielding rhythm amplifies the feeling of searching for connection in an endless void.
“War” (feat. Night Train To Nowhere) roars to life with the blaring of warning sirens, plunging listeners into the chaos of combat. A driving guitar melody cuts through the storm, carrying the raw energy of primal conflict. From the battlefield’s first clash to its brutal aftermath, the track captures the relentless, unyielding devastation of war, its unchanging cycle etched into every note.
The album closes with an instrumental version of “Pitch Black” and the demo version of “Life of Pain,” offering reflective echoes of the themes explored throughout. Together, these tracks form a chilling yet cathartic journey through despair, longing, and the fragile thread of hope.
Life of Pain is out now on Swiss Dark Nights. Listen to the album at the link below and order it here.
The visual representation of “Life of Pain” masterfully enhances its haunting musical themes. The front cover, adorned with striking artwork by Robert Carter, captures the essence of desolation and inner turmoil. Inside, a surreal comic-inspired illustration by Mark Freeth adds an intriguing layer of emotional complexity, inviting listeners to delve deeper into the album’s narrative. The back cover, along with the artwork for the single “Alprazolam,” showcases original paintings by Bjorn Bauer, infusing the project with his distinctive artistic flair. Furthermore, the captivating photograph featured on the single “Routine,” taken by Arthur Eloy, further enriches the album’s overall artistic expression, creating a multidimensional experience for the audience.
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