Now, over ten years after they formed in Malmö, Sweden, Marleen Nilsson and Anders Hansson and Magnus Bodin – fashioned by the city’s austere industrial past and flat pack present, all in the shadow of the Orsesund Bridge that links their dreamworld to mainland Europe and a darker reality. Death and Vanilla return with a new album, ‘Flicker’, presenting their unique pop music that defies categorisation.
New single ‘Find Another Illusion’ is a piece of melancholy dream pop with the kind of uplifting melody line that inspires unscripted bravery. It’s a song that builds to a mighty, swirling crescendo before a middle section that carefully unwinds before doing the whole thing over again; louder, more euphoric; glorious!
Housed in a beautifully austere post-ironic de-constructed sleeve, ‘Flicker’ is a modern reflection on these difficult times. World crises and lockdowns notwithstanding, Death And Vanilla return reborn, re-arranged and revitalised after assimilating dub reggae, the motorik spirals of Can, the modal meander of Philip Glass and The Cure’s dreamier pop sounds; plus the twice removed symphonic ambience of Spiritualized and Talking Heads under heavy manners from Brian Eno. By osmosis their period of transition since 2019’s much darker ‘Are You A Dreamer?’ has hatched new eclectic electronica anthems riddled with melody lines, and layered for lush love.
“Dreampop that floats your celestial boat.. recalling late 60’s Californian psych and 90s shoegaze.” Prog
Death And Vanilla at once sound like everything is possible; but nothing else at all. There is a flicker of hope for everyone.
Out 17th March. Available on LTD Edition Yellow LP, Black LP & CD. LTD Edition Yellow LP, Tote and Signed Print Bundle & LTD Cassette (Bandcamp only)
