Disorientations - Memory Lanes ([PIAS] Recordings)

English:CD-review
  Van Muylem    1 februari 2022

‘Memory Lanes’ is a sharp and well-knit attack on the senses. The 10 songs never outstay their welcome and have enough hooks and melodic twist to keep your ears wanting more. It’s an impressive feat for this young 3-piece from Antwerp, Belgium.


Formed in 2018, after years of performing in other bands like Melting Time and Lagüna, Disorientations quickly grew out into a full-fledged and close-knit group. Lifelong friends Lukas Van Camp (bass), Tomas Serrien (drums) and Niels Elsermans (vocals, guitar) felt a need to start jamming endlessly as a way to process shared loss experiences.

 

Their collaborative writing process soon led to songs inspired by the melancholic dark 80s. While combining new wave with more alternative punk and noise music, their music became characterized by an intense and contemporary cold-blooded sound that comes to life during their intense and loud performances. The trio wants to show a raw and compelling face of post-punk by translating their emotions in a direct musical manner. They muse in a loud and introspective way about life, because for them musically nothing is without obligation.

 

Disorientations debuted with single and EP ‘Close To Disappearing’ in early 2020, right before the pandemic bolstered their grim musical vision. Single ‘Wandering’ was self-released at the end of 2020, accompanied with a Lynchian black-white short movie by visual artist Achiel De Vlerk.

 

‘Memory Lanes’ continues in that melancholic atmosphere of loss and mourning. It confronts the listener with moments of despair, but the guitar wall of sound, the harsh rhythmic power and the haunting vocals give enough energy to embrace those inevitable tragic moments of life.

 

Memory Lanes will be released on February 4th on CD, red & black marbled LP and on all digital platforms.

Pre-order the album here: https://disorientations.lnk.to/memorylanes


Wandering has a clear bass guitar in it and a dark touch of 80’s gothic rock in it. The vocals are good and match with the sound. After one song I’m already wandering why I haven’t heard of them before! It’s totally my style (just need a bit more of melancholia). Words takes off in style and sound like as if they are well known stars and already reign over the world of music. The vocals have something I really adore and remind me also of another singer from the 80’s but can’t drop the name yet as it doesn’t pop up yet (Gang of Four comes pretty close). I adore the sound and their style! Don’t really rocks and has a hammering drummer (clearly on fire). The bass and the lead guitar play their role well!

Watching You Go is another jewel with a slice of a depression and a very dark sound that comes close to Joy Division but has also a more modern sound. Allied is the next jewel taken out of a golden chest! I cherish the bass, once again: omg! I also adore the retro sound mixed with the vocals and modern equipment! Waiting For is a very short song and gave me a The Cure feel, but in a higher tempo as what we are used too from The Cure. Head is a real heavy track and all fired up. I’m sure it will be a hit on stage! It feels like the ideal end track for the regular set. Leftover has shredding guitars, a good bass and a drummer that wakes up the song. The vocals sound like heartbroken and that fits the song like a handmade glove. Close To Disappearing rocks like hell and also has a dark touch and shows off their talent to write great tracks! Last one is called Zinfandel. It’s a bomb! The perfect end song and filled with energy and rage! I love it! The vocals sound a bit different here but it’s once again a shot in the rose!

It’s clear that this band is ready to play a lot of gigs and I hope they get booked at some greater festivals too as they really deserve it! They will rock you in a dark way! And it’s the kind of music you can listen to all day long without getting bored! Well done!

LIVE
18.02.22 @ We Are Open | Trix, Antwerp

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