Annie Achron - Never Paradise (2025)

Annie Achron is the nom de plume of Philadelphia sound artist (& dedicated surfer), Nicole Siering. 'Never Paradise' is the long awaited followup to her debut (cassette) release from 2021, 'Silver-Handed Subterranea', which some of you out there may be lucky enough to own. One of the subtle delights of this fantastic new offering is that while in step w/the vibe of contemporary electro/synth-pop, 'Never Paradise' is also like a portal to what was being laid down in the salad days of Factory Benelux, 4AD, Some Bizarre & Mute. The goth scene had yet to ingest it's Vegemite & the stench in the clubs of the industrial north was from the stale beer rather than MDMA induced vomit. Yes, THAT brief, Edenic window of time. 'Never Paradise' covers a lot of ground, everything from brooding atmospheric fugue's to swooning dance floor vibrato. If this were the sole effort of some cracked, Industrial outsider artist from Sheffield of Manchester back in the day, the cape-donning, synth-mafia would be shitting bitcoin to purloin a copy. But it's not, though they will be, because if nothing else, time is infinite. So please, come get a copy now while it's here to be got for a mortal price. RIYL; Chris & Cosey, Human League, Vin Reilly, Section 25.