HTRK has been leaving their distinctive mark on the fusion of digital pop and noise rock for over two decades. To celebrate this significant anniversary, thay have released *String of Hearts*, a collection of covers and remixes that showcases an notable lineup of collaborators, ranging from emerging underground talents like Coby Sey to established experimental artists such as Liars. This eclectic compilation transcends genre boundaries, allowing listeners to explore the expansive evolution of the Melbourne band’s sound, which resonates throughout both underground and industrial music scenes without heavily relying on nostalgia.
This album encapsulates HTRK’s journey from their earlier tracks to their latest release, *Rhinestones*, showcasing a transition from a darker industrial aesthetic to a more inviting soundscape over time.
The instrumentals are reimagined through Loraine james’s IDM-inspired glitches alongside Zebrablood’s ethereal breaks,while Jonnine Standish’s detached vocals morph into haunting alien cries under Liars’ influence.
Certain pieces are transformed almost beyond recognition; they serve merely as starting points with just a synth or lyric as inspiration for new creations—Perila reinvents the gritty track “Ha,” crafting it into an expansive ambient piece that borders on serene beauty while retaining echoes of its original sneering tone.
“Siren Track,” initially just a brief interlude lasting only forty-nine seconds, is elongated by Kali Malone in collaboration with Stephen O’Malley from Sunn O))) into an immersive six-minute drone where simple lyrics are repeated like an absent-minded mantra.
Other tracks maintain closer ties to their originals but introduce exciting twists; Sharon Van Etten’s rendition of “Poison” offers less haze yet packs more punch, while Double Virgo’s take on “Rentboy” incorporates lively percussion along with strings creating vibrant dissonance—these moments stand out prominently amidst the collection yet every track here feels inventive while honoring HTRK’s essence.
New Releases This Month
The enigmatic Belgian-Italians known as Sexo y Fantasia delve deeper into darker realms with their third album *Trabajando El Flex* (Pinkman), transforming their signature low-key cosmic synth style into something more sinister featuring cold synths paired with robotic vocals layered over dub undertones—all wrapped in erotic themes that evoke images reminiscent of shadowy nightclubs.
*Radioweaver* is another recent offering by london-based artist The Narrator, who is also part of the collective known as Life Is Fine—a self-described “gesamtkunstwerk.” Across eight tracks filled with dreamy vocals intertwined with both beautiful yet uncanny instrumentals featuring celestial synths interrupted by glitchy samples—the work draws inspiration from theater influences including Fellini along with dreamlike narratives.
*Cinecittàx* (Disques de la Spirale), marks the debut album by Brussels-based artist Che Vuoi, presenting an eccentric blend that defies expectations through jittery lo-fi collages infused with elements spanning spoken word poetry, post-punk vibes alongside downtempo electronic sounds—all enhanced further by nature samples coupled together using toybox percussion techniques.