Hailing from the Italian Alps, ultrasaturated releases a single off their most recent EP, Feral Spring, which came out June 19. The three-piece draws much of its inspiration from such a breathtaking setting, and uses post-punk as a base on which to add dreamier elements (be it of the gazy or dreampop variety).
A masterclass in modern gothic ambiance, “Moor” moves with suave distance and a bolstering bassline that makes you sway. The inverted synths that play out the song add to the eerie flavor without cheapening the nod to horror soundtracks, instead positioning it in a very contemporary “liminal” feel. While maintaining the somber aspect of the goth genre’s early attempts, it’s an unmistakably European record, perhaps even striking me as very Russian, like an airier rendition of now-classic Motorama. That being said, the sonic vocabulary is more extensive, shedding the lo-fi that’s associated with these acts in favor of a sharper recording.
The cover art fascinates me, bleeding the movement of the subject into strong, remarkable monoliths of color. It’s a great visual representation of the sonic elements at play during its runtime, and a check in my book, since breaking the mold in alternative subcultures has ironically become something weirder to find.
Written by Charlotte Lacambra
