We get back to reviewing some new music after a long hiatus. Two new albums have come out this year - We're Here With You, which is Julien-K's sophomore effort after the critically acclaimed debut, Death To Analog, which was hugely successful among hardcore fans. The second one is Temple Of Thought, the fifth studio album by Poets Of The Fall. We look at the former today and save the latter for next time.
The excitement to We're Here With You [WHWY] was built up in an amazing way, and the best way possible - connecting with the fans. The band interacted a lot with the faithfuls, kept updating us on the progress of the album and even formed a street team 'Systeme De Street' [SDS]. A private recording session with the SDS and a pre-release album play at Cologne, Germany were the icing on the cake for many European fans who could attend these events. Many bands could learn from these people who make music from the heart and for the sole purpose of sharing it with the millions who love them.
Frank Zummo of Street Drum Corps is Julien-K's new drummer, at least for the forseeable future.Elias shall be missed, but Zummo is a step in the right direction.His drumming is exceptional.
Julien-K have moved away from their Dark Electro-Rock sound and embraced a more upbeat and peppy feel in WHWY, which they call Indie-Rock with a dash of Electro. While a couple of tracks might remind you of their previous album, on the whole, WHWY is set to gain many more followers without losing the existing bunch. All tracks trap you in the mood, the mood Julien-K intended you to get into, and make you sway with the rhythm. Everything happens so fast, as one winner follows another that you are left craving for more. The last track stamps authority over the entire album and ends it in an enigmatic manner.
WHWY raced to #2 on the iTunes Electronic charts, which establishes Julien-K as one of the pioneers of Electro music and with experienced stalwarts like Ryan Shuck, Amir Derakh and Anthony 'FU' Valcic, that's hardly surprising.
So, are you here with me on this?
WE'RE HERE WITH YOU --------- *********o [9/10]
The title track starts things off. We're Here With You gets you in a trance, with the hi-hat and electro beats dictating your every move.Out of nowhere Amir arrives with his highly distorted guitar riff. Ryan's just getting warmed up.
Surrounded By Cowards surrounds you with a heavy bass intro. Ryan's velvety voice returns to haunt you.It's like a drug. The solid chorus makes this one of my favourite songs on WHWY. It's so hummable and fits nicely with the vibe that has started going on.
Fade into a discotheque-inspired rhythm with Cruel Daze Of Summer. Julien-K take their time to build this song up and you slowly begin to realise what a gem of a song this is.Another stellar chorus and Ryan sizzles.
Next up is their first single Breakfast In Berlin, describing the band's love for wanderlust.The muted guitar riff is beautifully done and sets the tone throughout the song.All in all, a brilliant song. The track reaches a crescendo with "As Tokyo wakes, and the fever rises! "
Palm Springs Reset reaffirms why girls swoon when Ryan sings.The silken smooth vocals are to die for. Ryan says he wrote this song while holidaying with his girlfriend at Palm Springs, and the lyrics give us an insight into the wide array of thoughts,emotions and fears that he is feeling.
With the end of a beautiful song, techno makes an appearance with Colorcast.The song transports you to a dreamy place and the chorus hits just the right note with the visuals that the music induces.
Close Continuance jacks up the tempo with its peppy chorus. Wonderful falsetto by Ryan.The bridge of this song is rich in guitars and reminds you a little bit of Death To Analog.
The darkest song on this album in terms of Electro beats and muted guitars, Nights Of Future Past transports you to a dimly lit alley, with Ryan's voice being one of those night-time sounds that sends shivers down your spine. When the chorus kicks in, it seems that a lightning just struck somewhere, and the flash of light illuminates the various predators stalking you.The rest of the song is just you running away from them, hoping you escape. What an epic song. Kudos!
Flashpoint Riot taking, CONTROL! Something different, but enjoyable nonetheless.
I'll Try Not To Destroy You is an excellent track to end this experience.One can liken it to the credits rolling on the album.Flawless falsetto once again, by Ryan. The drums in the latter half of the song ooze class all over the song.
WHWY is an outstanding album, one which I'll never outgrow.Looking forward to more revolutionary music from Julien-K.This one is sure to get them plenty of limelight and global exposure.
A well-deserved and rightly earned 9/10 from me for this wonderful listen.I'm here with you no matter what!
My friend Vanessa Silva had previously done a review on WHWY and you can check out her views right here : The Hand That Feeds [Music Blog]. Needless to say, she's a huge Julien-K fan, and a yet-unsigned Music Producer.You can also check out her SoundCloud : Vanessa Silva .Quite a few badass original EDM tracks there.
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NEWS:
* BURN IT DOWN has been released as a single off Linkin Park's new album LIVING THINGS, out this June. A lengthy puzzle was solved by millions of fans worldwide, gearing up to the release of this song on April 16. A definite chartbuster and a current favourite, BURN IT DOWN combines all elements of the band's previous efforts and amalgamates into something which you love dearly.
Next: A lot of thought over Poets Of The Fall's Temple Of Thought
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| Album Art |
The excitement to We're Here With You [WHWY] was built up in an amazing way, and the best way possible - connecting with the fans. The band interacted a lot with the faithfuls, kept updating us on the progress of the album and even formed a street team 'Systeme De Street' [SDS]. A private recording session with the SDS and a pre-release album play at Cologne, Germany were the icing on the cake for many European fans who could attend these events. Many bands could learn from these people who make music from the heart and for the sole purpose of sharing it with the millions who love them.
Frank Zummo of Street Drum Corps is Julien-K's new drummer, at least for the forseeable future.Elias shall be missed, but Zummo is a step in the right direction.His drumming is exceptional.
Julien-K have moved away from their Dark Electro-Rock sound and embraced a more upbeat and peppy feel in WHWY, which they call Indie-Rock with a dash of Electro. While a couple of tracks might remind you of their previous album, on the whole, WHWY is set to gain many more followers without losing the existing bunch. All tracks trap you in the mood, the mood Julien-K intended you to get into, and make you sway with the rhythm. Everything happens so fast, as one winner follows another that you are left craving for more. The last track stamps authority over the entire album and ends it in an enigmatic manner.
WHWY raced to #2 on the iTunes Electronic charts, which establishes Julien-K as one of the pioneers of Electro music and with experienced stalwarts like Ryan Shuck, Amir Derakh and Anthony 'FU' Valcic, that's hardly surprising.
So, are you here with me on this?
WE'RE HERE WITH YOU --------- *********o [9/10]
The title track starts things off. We're Here With You gets you in a trance, with the hi-hat and electro beats dictating your every move.Out of nowhere Amir arrives with his highly distorted guitar riff. Ryan's just getting warmed up.
Surrounded By Cowards surrounds you with a heavy bass intro. Ryan's velvety voice returns to haunt you.It's like a drug. The solid chorus makes this one of my favourite songs on WHWY. It's so hummable and fits nicely with the vibe that has started going on.
Fade into a discotheque-inspired rhythm with Cruel Daze Of Summer. Julien-K take their time to build this song up and you slowly begin to realise what a gem of a song this is.Another stellar chorus and Ryan sizzles.
Next up is their first single Breakfast In Berlin, describing the band's love for wanderlust.The muted guitar riff is beautifully done and sets the tone throughout the song.All in all, a brilliant song. The track reaches a crescendo with "As Tokyo wakes, and the fever rises! "
Palm Springs Reset reaffirms why girls swoon when Ryan sings.The silken smooth vocals are to die for. Ryan says he wrote this song while holidaying with his girlfriend at Palm Springs, and the lyrics give us an insight into the wide array of thoughts,emotions and fears that he is feeling.
With the end of a beautiful song, techno makes an appearance with Colorcast.The song transports you to a dreamy place and the chorus hits just the right note with the visuals that the music induces.
Close Continuance jacks up the tempo with its peppy chorus. Wonderful falsetto by Ryan.The bridge of this song is rich in guitars and reminds you a little bit of Death To Analog.
The darkest song on this album in terms of Electro beats and muted guitars, Nights Of Future Past transports you to a dimly lit alley, with Ryan's voice being one of those night-time sounds that sends shivers down your spine. When the chorus kicks in, it seems that a lightning just struck somewhere, and the flash of light illuminates the various predators stalking you.The rest of the song is just you running away from them, hoping you escape. What an epic song. Kudos!
Flashpoint Riot taking, CONTROL! Something different, but enjoyable nonetheless.
I'll Try Not To Destroy You is an excellent track to end this experience.One can liken it to the credits rolling on the album.Flawless falsetto once again, by Ryan. The drums in the latter half of the song ooze class all over the song.
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| From L to R: Elias Andra, Ryan Shuck, Fu Valcic, Amir Derakh |
WHWY is an outstanding album, one which I'll never outgrow.Looking forward to more revolutionary music from Julien-K.This one is sure to get them plenty of limelight and global exposure.
A well-deserved and rightly earned 9/10 from me for this wonderful listen.I'm here with you no matter what!
My friend Vanessa Silva had previously done a review on WHWY and you can check out her views right here : The Hand That Feeds [Music Blog]. Needless to say, she's a huge Julien-K fan, and a yet-unsigned Music Producer.You can also check out her SoundCloud : Vanessa Silva .Quite a few badass original EDM tracks there.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
NEWS:
* BURN IT DOWN has been released as a single off Linkin Park's new album LIVING THINGS, out this June. A lengthy puzzle was solved by millions of fans worldwide, gearing up to the release of this song on April 16. A definite chartbuster and a current favourite, BURN IT DOWN combines all elements of the band's previous efforts and amalgamates into something which you love dearly.
Next: A lot of thought over Poets Of The Fall's Temple Of Thought
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