SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: SENSUOUS ENEMY – THE AWAKENING

SENSUOUS ENEMY
THE AWAKENING
DISTORTION PRODUCTIONS

Electronic music, particularly EBM, often finds itself in an environment that can lead to shortcuts. However, The Awakening by Madison, WI-based Sensuous Enemy, defies this norm. This album is a testament to the meticulous craftsmanship and unwavering dedication of the artists, with every second of it carefully cared for and crafted.

After breaking a 5-year hiatus from music in 2019, The Awakening is Sensuous Enemy’s first full-length LP since 2013’s The Voyager. This album marks a pivotal moment in their musical journey, which fans have eagerly awaited. 

The award-winning quartet is comprised of JAI [Jai Ingersoll, vocals/piano/lyrics], John Freriks [programmer/guitars], and Bob Hensley [programmer/synths].

It is rare to find electronic music that captivates listeners lyrically. JAI’s vocals on the project are as articulate as they are melodic. Using rich lyrics, JAI can share her experience while sending listeners down a journey of booming visualization.

However, lyrics alone cannot make a great electronic album. In fact, what makes JAI’s vocal performance stand out so starkly is the rest of Sensuous Enemy’s talents. The Awakening is an album that shares the spotlight perfectly, and clearly, everyone came ready to work, with different members taking the lead on each song.

The instrumental itself is outstanding, with a vibe I can only place as spooky but energizing. For fans of dark music, specifically goth or industrial, The Awakening will inevitably have you dancing (be careful when operating a motor vehicle).

The record has virtually no misses. Tracks such as “Existence”, “Lost Souls”, “Drift”, and “Saraswati” are guaranteed to induce some 80s nostalgia and liven up anybody’s night. Fans may recognize “Saraswati” as sort of a sequel to the 2010 banger, “Kali”. Both songs are named after Hindu deities. However, the latter sees Sensuous Enemy evolve from descriptive poetry to simple mantra chanting with a killer drumline. The song can be interpreted as a metaphor for Sensuous Enemy’s return to music and their devotion to making great EBM.

Pittsburgh-based Distortion Productions made a wise decision to bring Sensuous Enemy on its cast back in 2019. The indie label is proving to actually care about seeing the goth and industrial scene flourish. Thanks to artists like Sensuous Enemy, listeners can experience the high-quality music that emerges from genuine support.

It is exciting to see the trio back in album mode. The Awakening is a testament to their talents, allowing listeners to reflect on their own experiences through JAI’s lyricism or just set everything aside and dance. I like to do both.

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