The overarching theme of ‘Lash’ is “destruction is creation”, signifying that breaking down, removing, or ending old structures is a necessary precursor to building something new, as summarised by Pablo Picasso's quote, "Every act of creation is first an act of destruction". This concept highlights that true innovation or renewal requires dismantling the existing state to provide a blank slate for growth. This isn’t only true for art and creativity, but also works for emotional, spiritual and personal matters: You can’t build a new version of yourself if the old one’s still taking up all the space. You can’t meet the love of your life if you're clinging to a lost flame from the past. Sometimes stuff has to fall apart so better things can land. The deconstructed, ‘decaying’ orchestral compositions in the beginning and ending of the album illustrate this sentiment. These aren’t empty hooks or recycled party chants. Although the lyrical content is very personal and deals with serious matters which are not very uplifting, DEAD LIGHTS dances on the volcano, proudly wearing the badge of ‘low art’, as stated in the album’s subtitle “Lesions of low art”. This refers to the (manufactured) gap between “low art” (popular culture) and so-called “high art”. According to Richard, who has one foot in each (he also exhibits audio-visual installations in galleries and composes music for many modern ballet companies), there’s a lot of solemnity in the “high art” world, just like in the military and in monarchy. Solemnity in the form of not being serious, it’s the performance of seriousness. But these spaces are easily disturbed, revealing their absurdity. That same absurdity is embraced by the “low art” of DEAD LIGHTS, where it unapologetically takes the shape of outrageousness and extravaganza. Saul adds: “This album really brings to the fore an element of our music that’s always been there; the juxtaposition of hard, high-energy music mixed with a downbeat cynicism and introspection. This creates an uneasy dichotomy; one half seeking to revitalise and empower, the other attempting to tear at the foundations. It creates a tension, a sense of everything always hanging in the balance - two things joined together yet continuously pulling each other apart, one entity that is simultaneously both destroying and creating.” Recognising the fact that every rebellion ages into a design style, ‘Lash’ aims to be gorgeous enough to pull you close - and sharp enough to cut once you’re there, leaving “lesions of low art”: whip marks that signify a lasting impression.
Tracklist:
1. Never Take Me Alive (7:19) 2. The Human Touch (4:13) 3. The Dream Membrane (3:39) 4. (The Edge Of) Dusk (6:29) 5. Break Out (4:07) 6. Gravity (4:42) 7. Killing Time (4:01) 8. Take (3:46) 9. The Algorithm (4:33) 10. Grind (4:40) 11. Resonate (4:31) 12. Unmaker (5:58)
Categories
