VR Sex
Human Traffic Jam
Dais
VR Sex is a provocative band name. I suppose this outfit will be more famously known as a βDrab Majesty side-projectβ than as a band in their own right.
The band consists ofΒ Noel Skum (Andrew Clinco of Drab Majesty), Z. Oro (Aaron Montaigne of Antioch Arrow/Heroin/DBC) on vocals and drums, and Mico Frost (Brian Tarney) on synths and electric bass, although Skum solely committed all the instrumentation present on Human Traffic Jam.Β
On the surface, this is is way more dense and dark than youβll find on any Drab Majesty release, so donβt be looking for their brand of βDream Pop/Shoegaze/whateverβ here. There are echoes of Primary Colours-era Horrors (βFacts Without Facesβ), beats that are not far from The Land of Rape and Honey by Ministry (βDowngradeβ) and ambient βfound vocalβ tracks reminiscent of Bill Nelson or Public Service Broadcasting (βPsycho Cybernetiksβ and βCheek Detritusβ). These influences are not there for mere homage, they feed into the narrative theme that Skum has laid out; the domination of technology with social media and the loss of human interaction. Itβs Sci-Fi veneer but itβs hitting close to the mark of our times. Iβm sure if I analyzed the lyrics more (hard as they are to distinguish in the mix sometimes) I could quote some to define more clearly the seedy undertones but you can see some of that in the video below for the second single from the album, βSacred Limousineβ. The first single, βSurrenderβ, is straight up old school Goth Γ la Red Lorry Yellow Lorry with a hint of Drab for a sublime finish.
This is a brilliantly executed amalgam of styles, genres and influences mixed together to form a thick and brooding album not easily digestible in one sitting. This is definitely a βgrowerβ type album. It is the aural equivalent of going to an βall you can eatβ restaurant with the cuisines of the world and putting a little of everything on your plate. Fulfilling, a little confusing, everythingβs running together…then ultimately very satisfying when you digest it.
ArtistΒ Links
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: VR SEX – HUMAN TRAFFIC JAM
Michael Mitchell