Music has always been about experimentation and expression, two things some artists seem to forget when releasing new material. Berlin duo Feline and Strange are reminding us why music cannot be pinned down to one specific genre or style in their new single ‘No Life on Mars.’
Watch the concept video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewODUIWaSB0
Artists are named so for a reason – because they set out with the initial idea to create something they can release into the world. Feline and Strange are going above and beyond by not only releasing their new album Out but are promoting the style of electro-wave cabaret inspired by aesthetics of classical compositions whilst combing this with their electric punk attitude. The duo give a whole new meaning to ‘creative freedom’ by pushing musical boundaries that may not agree with every listener. The single ‘No Life on Mars’ alone embodies the odd and evocative sound of their new album Out which is a collection of ‘aggressive and depressive’ songs that epitomise the style of Feline and Strange.
‘No Life on Mars’ transports the listener on a sonic journey to a seemingly dystopian world (that is in fact our own) where it feels like your mind is being invaded. The chorus of the song repeating ‘this is your mind and I’m just an intruder/explorer.’ Which may be the goal of the duo once you know their back story: the band are extra-terrestrials, outlined in the music video by their unusual appearance, who landed on Earth in human bodies years prior with partial amnesia . The goal of their music is to recruit crew members explaining the out-of-body feeling the song can inspire. The single sounds like a dark and twisted collaboration between Muse and The Pet Shop Boys with the use of classic and electric instruments.
The haunting vocals of multimedia artist/director/opera and tango singer Feline Lang (Brigitte) penetrate the ear drums of the listener in an almost hypnotic trance, leaving a decision on the song to be made after a few replays. Combined with the interspersed piano and jarring combination of heavy drum beat of sound engineer/punk drummer/percussionist and orchestra cellist Christoph Klemke, the two are conquering new grounds in the music world. However their sound is not the only thing unlike other artists out there but their way of preforming is also something to witness. Christoph plays a fold-up cello which he made himself after cutting an electric cello into three pieces in order to transport it as carry-on luggage. As well as this studio musician and co-producer of the album, Brian Viglione, plays a dumpster for percussion on the record.
The album Out (produced by Jason Rubal who has worked with the likes of Amanda Palmer and Robert Smith) is a collection of eleven weirdly creative songs of uninhabited cynical rage and terrible sadness inspired by a wide range of topics like political and feminist issues. Combing with the drastic cultural influences of East and West Germany from the artists themselves and described as ‘Nina Hagen meets Depeche Mode and Adam Palmer’ the whole album in an exploration of a hilarious dystopian tragedy.
Listen to the weirdly wonderful and experimental album here: https://soundcloud.com/felinelang/sets/out
Feline and Strange are also out on tour. Here are the dates to check out:
July 7th: Berwick on Tweed – Airship Northstar
July 9th: Edinburgh – Frankenstein’s
July 22/23rd: Reading – Reading Fringe Festival
August 10th-13th: Llanfyllin – Phoenix Alternative Festival
September 16th: Wales Festi
September 22nd: Warsop – Snooty Fox
September 29th: Nottingham – Doghouse
September 30th: Llangollen – The Pavillion
October 7th: Leicester – Musician
October 15th: Birmingham – Roadhouse
October 20th: London, Kew Bridge Steam Museum
October 22nd: Brighton
Links:
https://soundcloud.com/felinelang
www.facebook.com/felineandstrange
https://twitter.com/felinelang
Review by Skye W.Winwood
MUSIC NEWS TODAY 