‘I feel like a whale, stranded on the shore of England, I’m out of place’.
After a lengthy spell in the ‘Dark’ our German cousins, Blackout Problems, return, armed and ready, to ‘Riot’ so strap on your helmets, your arm pads, knee pads and protective cod piece – ahem- and prepare to do yourself an injury or two. Take a gander at your ‘DNA’ see what it reveals, see what it has been concealing, all brought to life with a little help from Leoni Klinger of Umme Block.
Singer Mario Radetzky has some nifty footwork, see him in ‘Stash’ a sprightly singalong, with a fruity chorus that has a coquettish charm, serving up life induced drama or perhaps even drama induced life, in this sparkling rendition.
‘Now shit’s getting heavy, ‘cause I drew a line’ taken from ‘Puzzle’ is a truth teller, we see it in our lives, the minute someone says enough is enough, people get very offended.
‘GLOFs’ reminds me of Enter Shikari’s ‘Giant Pacific Octopus’ and how exciting to have Rou Reynolds on this track, as both of these bands, I feel, share the same artistic, ethical and compassionate thought processes, which in turn bring us these beautifully constructed tunes. Climate change has been a huge issue in recent times, this song is one of many that reflect the desperation and destruction of our environment. Sometimes I feel society has become more insular as people are fighting for their own local problems, while at the same time they are aware of global issues and want to help but are pulled apart by the tensions and thwarted by dejection and despair. Through music we obtain our perspective, we get clarity, and, in some instances, we get answers. These guys give us an intoxicating, palpitating portion of electronica, presenting a canvas that is as resolute as it is charismatic. It has the riffs, it has the words, it has the power to lift you through the uncertainty and steady your course.
The album is a journey, as are many creative productions, you learn about the band and in turn you learn about yourself. It is self- produced, which is a first, maybe that is what accentuates the delivery when an artist has more control and more input in the overall process.
The tensile, febrile, sensations of these songs, quicken your pulse and make your pupils dilate, songs to dance too, be entranced to, and take a chance to, so pick up the phone, I need somebody to talk to.
I do love Blackout Problems, if you miss this, it’s your funeral.
Azra Pathan
Blackout Problems – Riot out 23rd February 2024