It hasn't been long (October in fact) since we last heard from Mr. WILLIAM CONTROL...yes since the separation of AIDEN WiL Francis has been allowed complete freedom to work on his Control persona and it showed on the absolutely brilliant "The Pale EP"...a complete return to form; the four tracks hit all the right notes propelling WC all the way up the Billboard charts, garnering huge praise from fans and critics alike, but we knew that was merely part one of a four-EP concept for the collective "Revelations" album, inspired by the four horsemen of the apocalypse...so here, so relatively soon afterwards on February 17th he drops part two; "The Black EP"...let's saddle up...
We open up with lead single "Analog Flesh (In A Digital World)" and we're immediately met with more of the up-beat, pop-infused electronica that made the first EP such a pleasure to listen to. Not as gritty as "The Monster", this has a resolute 80's influence yet again and I know that,while with a lot of synth-pop that's an easy comparison to throw around, you simply can't deny the aura and vibe his recent works give off. The production is slick and modern yes but at it's heart this is right out of the neon big bang.
"All I Need" follows on with more soft, DEPECHE MODE inspired alternative electro and really if it wasn't for the subtle, darker tones of Francis' lyricism and story telling then this would be, so far at least, a legit pop record. It's so easy on the ears it sucks you in, it's no wonder the first EP charted so well...it's probably their most accessible collection of tracks to date. "Knife Play", while continuing with the theme musically; very cold, very synthetic yet completely addictive, does naturally have more of an adult concept thematically, however innocently the tickling of keyboards hides the general depth of the tracks ideology, before we completely change tune for closing track "Velvet Rose". A piano-led ballad of the most delicate nature...like the tenderness between two lovers embraced following a candle-lit evening of love making, it is the perfect come-down; it's warming, it's gentle and rich in emotion, ending the EP beautifully.
Given the EP's title this is in all fairness a lot lighter musically than expected...while we all know WC's tendencies to subject the listener to tales of lust, longing and sexual suffering, this record as previously mentioned takes full advantage of being very aesthetically pleasing from a sonic view point, you would maybe expect something darker and more heavy and EDM inspired...nevertheless this yet again proves that WC is on tip-top form and is releasing some damn fine songs...with red and white still to come, this velvet rose shows no signs of wilting yet. [7]
We open up with lead single "Analog Flesh (In A Digital World)" and we're immediately met with more of the up-beat, pop-infused electronica that made the first EP such a pleasure to listen to. Not as gritty as "The Monster", this has a resolute 80's influence yet again and I know that,while with a lot of synth-pop that's an easy comparison to throw around, you simply can't deny the aura and vibe his recent works give off. The production is slick and modern yes but at it's heart this is right out of the neon big bang.
"All I Need" follows on with more soft, DEPECHE MODE inspired alternative electro and really if it wasn't for the subtle, darker tones of Francis' lyricism and story telling then this would be, so far at least, a legit pop record. It's so easy on the ears it sucks you in, it's no wonder the first EP charted so well...it's probably their most accessible collection of tracks to date. "Knife Play", while continuing with the theme musically; very cold, very synthetic yet completely addictive, does naturally have more of an adult concept thematically, however innocently the tickling of keyboards hides the general depth of the tracks ideology, before we completely change tune for closing track "Velvet Rose". A piano-led ballad of the most delicate nature...like the tenderness between two lovers embraced following a candle-lit evening of love making, it is the perfect come-down; it's warming, it's gentle and rich in emotion, ending the EP beautifully.
Given the EP's title this is in all fairness a lot lighter musically than expected...while we all know WC's tendencies to subject the listener to tales of lust, longing and sexual suffering, this record as previously mentioned takes full advantage of being very aesthetically pleasing from a sonic view point, you would maybe expect something darker and more heavy and EDM inspired...nevertheless this yet again proves that WC is on tip-top form and is releasing some damn fine songs...with red and white still to come, this velvet rose shows no signs of wilting yet. [7]
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