With eyebrow raising moniker, the Los Angeles based VR SEX suggest a dystopian tone, reflecting technologies ever growing encroachment upon human connections, community and intimacy. The music very much mirrors this sentiment. Through passioned expression of inner turmoil, the band lovingly plunders ideals of decades past, packaging them in an ecstatic fever dream that evades an twists of modernity.
Product of the Post-Punk umbrella, a downtrodden Gothic Rock glumness reverberates through deeply spoken vocals. A constant clatter of stiff drum machine groove resembles proto Industrial origins. At times its hazy, droning, noise drenched guitar tones take on a shimmering Shoegaze quality. Synth sound design explores a range of corrupting aesthetics, stretching to Noise in moments. Through it all, rock steady baselines march and pound, gluing the music like its essential backbone.
Downgrade might be their most 80s esque track, fondly reminiscent of Killing Joke, however identity is their own. VR SEX has a unique expression emerging from its overt influences. Sprinkled between its main songs, dystopian interludes of rumbling noise establish the records firm grasp on its thematic setting. Pyscho Cybernetiks infusion of detuned astral synth always perks the ears with its alarming vocal snippets. This leads into Cheek Detritus, my personal favorite cut. A horror realizes itself as the prior interlude manifests into a harrowing decent. The only grip on sanity is the firm rhythm section, both drum and bass in unison, shielding us from the insanity.
Human Traffic Jam is remarkable in its own right, a sort of modern classic from decades past. The soft modern touches are mostly technological, its spirit utilizing that era to tackle todays woes. Its a riveting listen, impactful on first spin but after many, its clear these songs have the power to stick around. I'm still loving this one.
Rating: 7/10