Heavy eighties production and whispered vocals, quietly contemplating ideas that provoke deeper thought. Seattle’s Mutual Shock counters the weight of distorted synths, bass and old-school rhythms, with modern lyrical musings and melodies that introduce a clear sense of artistic identity.
Setting a scene of something like sci-fi storytelling with a twist of personal revelation, Destroyer introduces the project and the Mutual Shock sound in a bold way, and Killing Time follows on with a striking simplicity and poignant lyrical undertone.
Noting hints of influence from Depeche Mode and Nine Inch Nails in equal parts, the weight and contrasting delicacy of the arrangement and voice lays down an intriguing foundation, and the album proceeds to deliver upon this cinematic promise of capturing a sense of relevance.
The ‘numbing qualities’ of modern work culture, the feelings of disconnection and isolation we all seem to share, of something vital being stripped away from our very existence, all feeds into the intriguing balancing of humanity and robotic, industrial sounds that make up Nervous Systems the album.
Find Mutual Shock on Facebook, Bandcamp, Instagram.
