SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: TON – ROOMS

TON
ROOMS
RE-TON RECORDS

TON, from Berlin, started off as an electronic and sample project by Julien Siemann. However, very quickly he enlisted the help of Vincent Wedel, Lizz, and Karen Dhios on a variety of things from vocals, mixing, and recording. This gives every song a slightly different feel and continues the original goal of experimentation. The end result is a five-track EP that has the unique ability to sound like the past and the future at the same time.

The 1980s sound certainly has found its way into the songs on the EP. Overall, Rooms is somewhat reminiscent of the sounds from that decade. However, by weaving in dark wave, post-punk sounds, and industrial music, the EP very quickly finds its own footing and its own distinct sound. And yet, sounding a bit retro at the same time. The opening track, “Movement” swiftly changes sound from hard driving electronica-post punk to dance in seconds. Dhios’s vocals are stunning in the song and create a very unique atmosphere. Lizz takes centre stage with her wonderful vocals for “The Night”.

Elsewhere, a song such as “Interlude” borders on ambient and is a very quiet instrumental that builds to a brilliant ending. This leads to the much darker “Droom”, which again has a slow burn and uses noises very well. There are layered sounds here that elevate the song into a fascinating sound excursion. The EP ends with the very danceable “KDW”. It is a much more lighthearted track, following the darkness of the previous tracks. It samples the 1980s perfectly and is the perfect way to bring the EP to an end.

All in all, a very interesting and compelling EP. There is a lot going on in the five songs of Rooms, with each song being a room in the house of sound. It is the perfect soundtrack to a dark and stormy wintery night and yet, in its own way, is very inviting. TON has created a brilliant EP.

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