Berlin, Germany based Keluar were formed in January 2013 by composer/producer Jonas Förster, aka Sid Lamar, responsible for electronics and compositions for Schwefelgelb, and vocalist/lyricist Alison Lewis, aka Zoè Zanias, formerly of Linea Aspera. Diving into a more experimental sound than previous work of both parties involved, Keluar is a chance for a fresh start and different prospective. Clearly influenced by Synthpop, Darkwave, New Wave, and even Punk, Keluar is a chance to push the envelope of Zoè Zanias and Sid Lamar’s talents even further. Having already released two EPs, Ennoea in 2013 and Vitreum in 2014, via French label Desire Records, they followed with a compiled album of both efforts in June 2014, simply entitling the work Keluar. Recorded in Berlin, Germany, where Lewis had been located after leaving Linea Aspera, the collection of songs also includes two remixes by Soft Riot and Distel.
Continuing the thread of the cold but distinctive voice of Lewis, mixing with electronic, synth-based minimal wave, may connect the two acts, Keluar and Linea Aspera, but the new team of Zoè Zanias and Sid Lamar aim for a more atmospheric and experimental sound. These efforts really shine on songs such as “Fractures” and “Rivers” with their brooding and subliminal melodic lines. Furthermore, the songs recall an emotional pressure, which the artwork, done by Zoè Zanias herself, forcefully embodies. This is also the lyrical theme of the tunes, which reach their climax within the nightmarish “Detritus” where Zoè Zanias sings “Swim toward the shore, I said, But I should have drowned you.” The words breathe anger, delusion and distrust, but are delivered without a tear. Moving forward, the music concurs the detachment with the fast-paced into flying sparks, as can be heard in “Cleo” and “Surface.” Amusingly, one may discover the world-famous drum pattern of New Order’s “Blue Monday” in the aforementioned “Rivers.” To add a bit of further diversity, stretched treble sounds confront the pulsating rhythms in “Ennoea,” while Lewis observes a breach.
Keluar offer a broad emotional scope within this debut album, which implicates the listener, although the architecture of the band’s sound may be repelling at first. That is Keluar’s tactic though; keeping the listener at distance, while tempting one with a hidden mystery within the interior. They are definitely not a band with a powerhouse sound, yet their output is dedicated to the reserved and the brooding. Through these aspects they shine within their cold mirrorworld, making them exciting newcomers to the Synthpop scene. CrypticRock gives Keluar 4 out of 5 stars.
- Desire Records
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