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CMU Approved
Approved: Moscow Youth Cult
By Marc Samuels | Published on Thursday 5 April 2012
Moscow Youth Cult are a mysterious electronica duo who deal in glitchy, slightly sinister slices of machine made pop. Following on from their delightful ‘Iris’ EP, ‘Phase IV’ is the Midlands duo’s first single from their forthcoming debut album, ‘Happiness Machines’. It’s also a homage to the 1974 film of the same name – Hitchcock title designer Saul Bass’ only directorial effort, about hyper intelligent (killer) ants – which is worth investigating in its own right (although it will absolutely terrify you).
Anyway, ‘Phase IV’ is shot through with the sort of chaotic electronic brilliance that was peppered throughout New Order and OMD’s early releases – you get the feeling that the analogue synths could break down at any moment, and are held together by gaffa tape whilst the duo record the track in a freezing cold studio with a leaky roof. But amid the relentless beats and gloomy atmosphere, there’s no shortage of melodic nous on offer too, thankfully.
Check out the video for ‘Phase IV’ here:
