H ø R D - Focus On Light

I feel as if so many bands and musicians attempt to use words such as emotional to describe their music anymore that such adjectives have lost their meaning. When every band out there releases one or two songs, they usually go into detail about what it means and why it means that. But, then you listen to their soulless creations and wonder how in the fuck that abomination can be described as anything but garbage. What they just put out is not meaningful, it is not heartening or heartbreaking, it is headache bringing, horrible gutter trash that should be eliminated from the Earth. It is when the quieter, more humble musicians release their albums without saying much about it at all that you'll find yourself holding back tears, relaxing, and sent off into another dimension. This is exactly how I feel about H ø R D. 

Based in Bordeaux, France, H ø R D is a synthwave/darkwave musician whose talent was noted on last year's fictional OST Wild In Blue.  While I myself was not a gigantic fan of the music the gentleman put out on that particular release, Giallo Disco Records was, so they signed him and have now released Focus On Light, an eight track, melancholic album that will drive you to beaches full of sun and rain. I may have been a bit of a naysayer then, but I have changed my ways and figuratively found Jesus. 

Just as you will be lost in a drift amongst space, H ø R D is lost in time; he sounds like he belongs in the 80s performing side by side with legends such as The Cure and Siouxsie and the Banshees. 'Teen Offers' is beautiful and paced evenly; the bright electronics with the saddening, but delightful vocals from H ø R D will leave you speechless. The mostly instrumental 'Speak' will continue this joy ride with riveting synth work that will have you applying mascara and dying your hair raven black. 

The quicker drum work of 'Heart (Part I)' will speak of a danger unspoken; the layering and ominous synths in the middle of the song that leads to a fairly dark, atmospheric segment was absolutely alluring. The spine tingling 'Lines' blasts out a minimalist one-two-three drum rhythm backed by multiple droning synths and simple electronic lines. 

'Focus On Light' will allow you to settle into a deep goth trance, as the hypnotizing beat and spiritual aura is stunning. 'Deliverance' gazes across a dark landscape, getting into darkly paced goth sounds. 'RFLX' is perhaps the heaviest electronic song, and sounds as if someone is wrestling with their personal demons. 'Heart (Part III)' - no, I don't know what happened to Part II - ends off the album with a glorious darkwave instrumental anthem. 

I think I've said enough. Go listen to this album; it should transport you to a calmer and past state of mind. 
Mar 03 2016