Category: New Music

FYE & FENNEK have tapped into a corner of 80s pop influenced sound for their single “Better Lover” that casts some insight into why it’s re-emerged as a resonant style over thirty years hence. The song is rooted in the rhythm which in the original synth pop came out of post-punk, disco, Krautrock and R&B. “Better Love” echoes shades of Speak & Spell period Depeche Mode and, by extension through Vince Clarke, Yaz and Erasure. The bright melodies embedded into almost industrial rhythms served as an appropriate backdrop and sonic palette to comment on the nature of identity and relationships in an era of challenging politics between a right wing, austerity government (austerity for most, but not for the wealthy, naturally) and the threat of nuclear destruction while acknowledging the basic human need to have some joy out of life. It struck an interesting balance.

“Better Lover” has a similar vibe and, as it turns out, the political and economic environment is similar but the impending doom includes climate change ending life as we know it just on the horizon and more out of human control than simply exercising restraint and good sense in not launching nuclear missiles at one another. That background tension runs through “Better Lover” but so does the catharsis of finding fun in times of trouble. But the song is also about the virtue of being vulnerable and not always looking to trade up in your romantic relationships. Like the best pop songs there is more content than is obvious from the catchy melodies and lyrical hooks. Naturally, of course, FYE & FENNEK have brought modern sound processing, editing and current electronic music sensibilities to the composition giving the classic aesthetic a contemporary feel. Listen to “Better Lover” on Soundcloud and to other tracks from the production duo at the link below.

soundcloud.com/fye-fennek