2022 is producing a LOT, and we mean A LOT, of unexpected surprise rekkids in our regular wheelhouse of favorites. We had some hopes that this band called Drab Majesty might be back with a new record (And they just might with a recently announced support slot with AFI happening in the fall) but are completely content with the unexpected news of the sophomore outing from sorta similarly sounding VR SEX.
Joking aside, VR SEX is of course the brainchild of Drab Majesty’s Deb Damure also know as Andrew Clinco of Marriages and known as Noel Skum here. Got it? Good! On Rough Dimension, VR SEX follow up their masterful debut and sound a little more like the dirty underbelly of Drab Majesty’s polished synth stylings with some pure, unfiltered Post-Rawk and a vocal performance that’s both urgent and raw.
“Victim Or Vixen” is all jangly, unkempt guitar tones and vox from Skum that are short bursts of biting bravado while “Glutton For Love” is a gnarly lo-fi number with drumming that’s seemingly simplistic but decidedly debonair while Skum’s vocals answer with a careening cadence that echoes Blondie’s “Rapture” at times with sinister synths which are a little reminiscent of Deadsy swirling about.
“Live in Dream” is next level old school Indie Rawk and a little R.E.M. circa Murmur with a glistening anthemic chorus and “Walk Of Fame” is a haunting guitar-driven dirge with an almost Deb Damure-style vocal facsimile throughout, especially toward song’s end with the way Skum adopts a languid drawl. While VR SEX is its’ own entity, the Drab Majesty is inevitably going to bleed through and it’s especially more present for album number two and “Crisis Stage” which is a dark Electro-centric ditty made for the Goth clubs with Skum’s voice becoming more assertive and commanding.
“Taste Of Hate” is kind of Punk Rawk Devo or The Network with its’ synthetic overtones and a loose, messy approach following “Crisis Stage” to bring listeners back to VR SEX world, “End Vision” is an anthemic track that positively sparkles with Skum’s striking baritone at the forefront along with some wailing guitar lines, and “Snake Water” ominously pulsates, gurgling and growing into this billowing Post-Rawk beauty that nicely encapsulates the VR SEX sound within its’ closing almost six minute package.
Rough Dimension arrives from Dais Records on March 25th. Pre-orders are available now by heading here or here and for the latest on VR SEX, including dates when you can catch them live, follow the trail of socials by clicking here or here.