"Incarnadine" is the third studio album from New York via Berlin musician, producer, singer and Ombra International founder Luca Venezia aka Curses. Since its premiere in March this year, it hasn't left my stereo for more than a few days. I'm still baffled why it took me so long to write about it though, providing it's my favourite album of 2022 so far (and it looks like it will stay this way), which got cemented by seeing Curses play live in April at The Shacklewell Arms in London, where he absolutely killed it. The album itself is an ode to everything what's best in the 80's goth / electronic scenes, but translated for the new millenium. "Incarnadine" draws from darkwave, coldwave, post-punk and EBM, taking just the right amount of each of those genres, applying black mascara and compiling it all into a ten track strong unskippable record. Featuring two guest vocals (powerful Jennifer Touch in "Boundless" and incredibly charming Terr in "Ghost Of Arms") as well as bass from Ben Airey, the album is pretty much all Luca. From paying tributes to vampires on gothic jam "Miriam" to iconic guitar work on "Gretchen Bender" to chain-clad underground bunker anthem "Déjà-vu, Inc.", the record is an unstoppable force defined by bold and catchy melodies, dark atmospheres and throbbing beats. If you have a change to experience Curses live, don't even think twice - do it. Future classic.
"Incarnadine" can be purchased here in digital format, otherwise try to find it through vinyl distros (bandcamp copies sold out). Stream it below.