Anybody who’s a fan of Bauhaus, their follow-up mission Love & Rockets, David Bowie, Iggy Pop or, extra lately, Edwyn Collins ought to know the reclusive but well-respected publish punk artist referred to as Les Techno. Lauded for years within the New York music scene for his witty, satirical lyrics and easy guitar work that rivals the good Robert Fripp, Techno additionally loves working with synths and manufacturing, making his work fashionable not solely within the publish punk world however within the more and more much less area of interest EDM/experimental electronica crossover world. His latest single, “Make You Really feel Good” is ideal instance of why Les Techno is so revered, and it additionally occurs to be a chill, low key, lofi bop.
If his discography is something to go by, it’s truly been a minute since Les Techno launched one in every of his tongue-in-cheek, punky tracks. The final one, “The Fashionable Twist,” launched in late 2021 and was extra rock ahead, with a type of rockabilly kick to Techno’s guitar work that made it extraordinarily catchy, though not fairly sufficient electronica for YEDM. Generally Les Techno’s stuff has extra techno, generally it has much less (cue trombone going “wah wah”), however it’s all the time enjoyable and fascinating, each in fashion and in substance. Techno can vacillate from 80s-style, synth-driven work like late-era Chris Rea to junkyard nation a’la Tom Waits throughout the identical tune while showcasing his reward for ambient, oftentimes shoegazey guitar work.
The fashion factors are definitely there with Les Techno, however he’s additionally recognized for his biting wit inside his lyrics. His post-apocalyptic, generally desolate music is supposed to go with and drive house the purpose of every tune, so even should you’re not listening to the vocals, the music will give audiences the eerie tone of dystopia, whether or not they’re searching for it or not. Usually filled with social commentary and warnings about what our actions now could value us sooner or later.
“Make You Really feel Good” begins out with a traditional Waits-esque story of boy meets woman however shortly turns right into a touch upon the American dream and the unexamined life; the title and lyric pose a query about whether or not the home, automotive and a pair of.5 children is what most individuals truly need or if it’s simply an antiquated advertising and marketing gimmick. As society is quickly altering and persons are questioning their way of life decisions increasingly more, it looks as if a great message to launch proper now. With no judgement and a few beautiful, pre-wall of sound guitar work a’la Bowie’s Heroes period, Techno provides listeners the choice to resolve how this monitor – and their goals for the long run – make them really feel.
After recording tracks with the likes of Run DMC and Mob Deep, Les Techno’s solo work appears to be much less about what others’ goals are and extra about the kind of music he desires to launch. It stands to purpose that he would launch tracks that encourage others to verify they’re not following another person’s path. The truth that he’s capable of do it in cool, dreamy, lofi swathes of music permits for much more contemplation. Right here’s hoping “Make You Really feel Good” makes its listeners really feel good in trying ahead to extra new tracks from this publish punk prodigy.
“Make You Really feel Good” is out now and may be streamed on Spotify.
Leave a Reply