Cold Beat - Mother (2020) [Hi-Res]

San Francisco electronic pop outfit Cold Beat make their debut on the ever-impressive DFA, one of the finest imprints in all of synth-dom. And what a triumph it is, polished and sharp and infinitely daring, making for more proof of what fans will have already known based on previous outings, including records on the rightly revered 1980s-inspired Dark Entries label. Think Eurythmics, Depeche Mode and Ladyhawke and you'll be edging toward the right ball park. There are moments of depression and stark moods, for example on "Paper", guitars juxtaposed with keyboards to create the wonderfully contrasting "Prism", and pedal-to-metal pace pushing "Gloves" forward to a destination that's some sort of future read through the past. Don't think that suggests pastiche, though - this is a record very much born from fresh ideas and a desire to explore pastures new.

Tracklist:
01. Cold Beat - Smoke (1:48)
02. Cold Beat - Prism (4:22)
03. Cold Beat - Paper (3:28)
04. Cold Beat - Pearls (5:44)
05. Cold Beat - Gloves (3:30)
06. Cold Beat - Through (4:00)
07. Cold Beat - Double Sided Mirror (4:07)
08. Cold Beat - Mother (2:34)
09. Cold Beat - Crimes (3:16)
10. Cold Beat - Flat Earth (2:38)