The great thing about new records as a reviewer is that it forces you to go back to older works by the artist not so much to use as a comparison to the now but more of a reference and to gauge the sonic evolution. And sometimes you rediscover a record that you knew you loved but just got lost in the shuffle over the years due to an abundance of other records asking for attention from our collective earholes. That said, we’re grateful for the reminder and opportunity to dive back into the Electro bliss of Lucia Cifarelli’s I Am Eye (Our review is here) full-length but turns out upcoming new solo album No God Here is kind of beyond compare.
Chances are If you caught KMFDM on their most recent run across the US earlier in 2024 you were treated to a preview of the title track from vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Cifarelli’s upcoming new solo album along with some cleverly placed QR codes (Boston’s Royale had them projected on the ceiling) to get in on the Kickstarter campaign happening at the time. Hopefully you were positively pouncing at the chance to support as soon as possible. And now the results of that effort are almost here as No God Here, Cifarelli’s third solo outing, readies for release this October.
The thing about No God Here that immediately stands out from Cifarelli’s previous solo efforts is that it encapsulates such a broad sound that’s like the “Cornucopia of Collected Works by Cifarelli” with the connecting thread being Lucia’s lush vocal performance that’s come so far since the Drill or From the Land of Volcanoes days. Hell, if you were to compare this to 2021’s I Am Eye or even KMFDM’s recent works it’s an obvious evolution.
“Paper Tiger” opens as more of a mission statement with the mantra of “Losing Doesn’t Live Here” serenely sung by Lucia against a backdrop of acoustic guitars and twang-filled licks with “Dark Horse” offering an empowering anthem and something that could easily fit anywhere within the KMFDM discography (And no wonder with the album co-produced by Cifarelli and musical/life partner Sascha Konietzko) propelled forward by a hypnotic bounce interspersed with Electro electricity as Cifarelli shines across the vast octaves covered here.
The aforementioned title track is a burgeoning atmospheric piece that’s elegantly ethereal accented by violinist Katya Murafa while “Lights Out” is a sobering soliloquy addressing the relentless rise and continued issue of not only school shootings but also gun violence (Which, if you know your history, KMFDM has more than a right to speak upon). “Hit Where It Hurts”, on the other hand is a neat number that’s a Synth Pop symphony and ponders what Gwen Stefani might sound like fronting U2 around the Zooropa/Pop eras.
“High On You” is a dance floor ready jam with shimmering synths to start ahead of pulsating beats and some sick shreds (KMFDM bandmates Andee Blacksugar, Andy Selway, and Jules Hodgson make appearances throughout this recording), “Matches & Gasoline” is a gnarly Alternative mid-tempo moody number, and “Valhalla” is a steady acoustic-driven track with an unreal operatic performance out of Lucia. “Believe” is a banger plain and simple and a clear reminder of Cifarelli’s star power in crafting crushing riotous rabble rousers that’ll have fans uncontrollably bobbing their head, shaking their booty, and stomping their feet leading to the playful all out Rawker called “The Creeps” touching on “the ick factor” of stalking.
No God Here arrives on October 11th and you can pre-order your copy today by heading here or here. For more, including where to catch Lucia on tour celebrating KMFDM’s 40th Anniversary soon, follow the socials across the interwebs by clicking here, here, or here.