Ashbury Heights - Morningstar In A Black Car

NIKLAS FORSBERG

There is no denying the potential and talent of Anders Hagström and Yasmine Uhlin. Their baby Ashbury Heights exploded onto the rather narrow minded electro community last year with bombastic debut album "Three Cheers for the Newlydeads". Trying not to lose momentum the dynamic Swedish duo have already finished work on a handful of new tracks, bundling them together with a string of remixes and a video on this new EP. Title track "Morningstar in a Black Car" is typical moody synthpop, borderline formulaic especially in its chorus structure and while this particular track doesn't float my boat, there is still plenty of ear-candy to enjoy. Energy pill "World Coming Down" for instance, a three minute club explosion destined for the electro dancefloors. Not to mention "Spiders", for which there is also a reasonably creative video included, where Hagström's vocals can truly blossom.

The remixes I can take or leave. Solidly executed in slightly different styles (among the remixers are Unterart and Agonoize), but little can be improved upon. The exception is spelled Marsheaux, a current Greek favourite that always leaves an impression with their peculiar electro sounds and retro imagery. The "Morningstar in a Black Car" EP is a strong continuation of the power of Ashbury Heights and if they cultivate their advantages, there will be no stopping them.

Translated from the Polish review by rajmund69

The Swedes' self-confidence is demonstrated by the single "Spiders" - not without reason, illustrated with the first music video in their career. Anders could easily be Gary Numan's cosmic son, and Yasmine this time enriches not only the sonic value of the song. By the way, who knows, maybe if they adjusted their bold, gothic-piercing-semi-naked image a bit, they would be able to break out of the still quite alternative niche with such a song. Because the song itself is a beautiful example of what is mentioned in the band's manifesto. Unobtrusive, e-style melody, experimental arrangement and a bit of attention-grabbing magic, which is most often missing in contemporary synthpop recipes (especially those made in Germany).

The remaining songs on "Morning Star in a Black Car" are equally accurate shots. "Die by Numbers" is based on similar principles, although it is more of a dance song, based on a bolder beat. Yasmine even got a solo vocal part in it, and the chorus, sung together with Anders, "Wash your hands in a new generation's blood / Wash your hands now / Wash your hands now"... Well, in Poland it may be associated with the most famous, soap opera Richard. "World Coming Down" takes an even bolder turn, where the drum machine blares shamelessly and Anders turns on his android vocal manner.

However, they only reach - nomen omen - the heights of Ashbury Heights only in "Smile". It is not without reason that it is often considered their best song. Here, for a change, the leader charms with his lower voice, singing from a distance that "When you smile / The sun resides / In your eyes / It's all too bright for me". Here, the duo finally proves that they have not only an elite ear and talent for melody, but also a truly New Romantic soul. Hagström is a very talented singer and composer with a stroke of genius, but unfortunately he was a bit lacking as a producer. "Smile" also proves that, considering the nature of the music presented here, "Morning Star in a Black Car" has at times too raw a sound. You could just sit on it for a while.

Ripped to MP3

1 Morningstar In A Black Car 4:52

2 Spiders 5:24

3 Die By Numbers 4:16

4 Smile 3:43

5 World Coming Down 3:18

6 Stormbringer (Aerial Mix) 4:20

7 Spiders (Remix By Unterart) 4:03

8 Die By Numbers (Remix By Agonoize) 3:08

9 Smile (Remix By Marsheaux) 3:40