mobile logo
 

overlook hotel records Tag

Cover art for Black Screen by Before After Again

Black Screen: New Industrial Darkwave from Before After Again

January 29, 2024
Cover art for Black Screen by Before After Again

Before After Again turns up the tension with “Black Screen,” a track that channels the aggression of industrial rock through a post-punk lens.

A Driving Industrial Groove

“Black Screen” is built on a relentless, mid-tempo groove that feels like a march toward the inevitable. The vibe is undeniably angry, yet the vocal delivery remains deceptively smooth, creating a chilling contrast with the bite of the lyrics. It touches on themes of obsolescence, media saturation (“teleprompter weapons”), and the surreal feeling of being trapped in a loop.

With its gritty textures and driving bass, this track is perfect for fans who prefer their darkwave with a heavier, more aggressive edge.

Lyrics

You know it’s right
I can’t partake
In this constant push and pull
These empty streets
Are fully charged
Intake the soul off the floor

Television black screen fault
Teleprompter weapons out
Militants entrenched it’s all wrong
Tell me something I don’t know
Give me everything I want
I just don’t want this anymore

So please don’t fight
It makes you weak
We want you down on your knees
It’s so surreal
When we look back
At all the pain that you bring

Television black screen fault
Teleprompter weapons out
Militants entrenched it’s all wrong
Tell me something I don’t know
Give me everything I want
I just don’t want this anymore

Don’t shed those tears salty

Now face the fact
You’re obsolete
It’s time you’ve taken your bow
Hide if you like
We’re close behind
Oh can’t you taste this disease?

Television black screen fault
Teleprompter weapons out
Militants entrenched it’s all wrong
Tell me something I don’t know
Give me everything I want
I just don’t want this anymore

Listen & Support

“Black Screen” is available now on all major streaming platforms. You can support the artist directly by purchasing the track on Bandcamp or streaming it on Spotify using the players below.

Stream & Download
Recommendations
Music, News, Reviews
Cover art for Mirage by Plastic Horizon

Mirage: New Cinematic Dreamwave from Plastic Horizon

January 26, 2024
Cover art for Mirage by Plastic Horizon

Plastic Horizon slows the tempo and deepens the mood with “Mirage,” a short but evocative track that drifts into the territory of dreamwave and chill synthpop.

A Melancholic Waltz

“Mirage” stands out immediately due to its time signature. Written in 12/8 time, the track has a swaying, waltz-like feel that separates it from the driving 4/4 beats of typical synthwave. This rhythmic choice, combined with lush pads and a gentle melody, creates a distinctively melancholic vibe, like a memory fading in the heat.

From the Score of “Gerald”

This composition has dramatic roots. It was originally composed as a theme for the Campfire Radio Theater episode “Gerald,” serving as part of a larger score featuring around 30 pieces of music. While it works perfectly as a standalone single for late-night listening, its cinematic origins are clear in the way it builds atmosphere and emotion in a short runtime.

Listen & Support

“Mirage” is available now on all major streaming platforms. You can support the artist directly by purchasing the track on Bandcamp or streaming it on Spotify using the players below.

Stream & Download
Recommendations
Music, News, Reviews
Cover art for You Are a Machine by Before After Again

You Are a Machine: New Dub-Industrial Single from Before After Again

January 22, 2024
Cover art for You Are a Machine by Before After Again

Before After Again pushes the boundaries of their sound with “You Are a Machine,” a track that blends the echo-laden space of dub with the grit of industrial post-punk.

A Shift in Groove

This composition is defined by its rhythmic instability. It vacillates between a hypnotic, dub-inspired half-time groove and a more driving, mid-tempo post-punk beat. Buried underneath layers of delay and stuttering effects, the vocals act more like another instrument in the mix rather than a traditional lead, adding to the mechanical, disoriented atmosphere.

Lyrics

The ocean
Just close your eyes

Chances you’re not falling forward
Chances you’re not falling forward
Chances you’re not falling forward
Chances you’re not falling forward

The ocean
Just close your eyes

Chances you’re not falling forward
Chances you’re not falling forward
Chances you’re not falling forward
Chances you’re not falling forward

Listen & Support

“You Are a Machine” is available now on all major streaming platforms. You can support the artist directly by purchasing the track on Bandcamp or streaming it on Spotify using the players below.

Stream & Download
Recommendations
Music, News, Reviews
Cover art for Dark Matter by V1CTOR

Dark Matter: New Southern Rock Single from V1CTOR

January 20, 2024
Cover art for Dark Matter by V1CTOR

V1CTOR returns with “Dark Matter,” a track that marks a gritty departure from the project’s usual theatrical and glam rock output.

A Grim Tale

The song opens with the chilling sound of wind blowing and a rope creaking under weight, immediately setting the scene for a classic murder ballad. Trading the makeup for dust and grit, “Dark Matter” leans heavily into Southern Rock territory. The narrative follows a man haunted by his own violent actions, running from a “spectre with a gun called Death” under a desert moon.

Collaborative Firepower

While the music was written by Vic Bonato (also of Cambium) and lyrics by Kevin Hartnell, the track features a standout guest performance. Friend and fellow Overlook Hotel Records label mate Andrew May (The Three Minstrels) contributes lead, rhythm, and slide guitar work that drives the song’s swampy, blues-infused energy.

Lyrics

Under the desert moon,
I took another man’s life.
Didn’t give a damn if he lived or if he died.

But, I should have known better,
’cause there’s always a price to pay.
And now I find myself always running away.
‘Cause there’s a very dark matter hanging over me.

He didn’t need his gold.
Was more than he could spend.
He hid it under the floor,
where he met his bloody end.
And now a god damn spectre,
with a gun called “Death,”
will surely lead me to my very last breath.
‘Cause there’s a very dark matter hanging over me.

Under the hanging tree,
the Devil’s waiting for me.
Under the hanging tree.

Live by the gun, die by the rope
in another man’s hand.
You can pray to your god, it won’t do no good.
This is your final stand.

Under the hanging tree, the Devil’s waiting for me!

Listen & Support

“Dark Matter” is available now on all major streaming platforms. You can support the artist directly by purchasing the track on Bandcamp or streaming it on Spotify using the players below.

Stream & Download
Recommendations
Music, News, Releases
Cover art for Killer by Plastic Horizon

Killer: New Horror Synthwave from Plastic Horizon

January 19, 2024
Cover art for Killer by Plastic Horizon

Plastic Horizon pays homage to the golden age of slasher films with “Killer,” a tense, cinematic track inspired by 1980s horror.

A Carpenter-Esque Beginning

The track opens with a slow, ominous build that is instantly reminiscent of early John Carpenter scores. It sets a scene of dread and anticipation, lurking in the shadows before revealing its true nature. This slow burn eventually explodes into a driving synthwave groove with heavy metal undertones, ramping up the energy like a chase scene in the third act.

The Christine Connection

As the adrenaline fades, “Killer” returns to the calm of its beginning. It fades out on a melodic line that feels like a lost outtake from the soundtrack to Christine, cold, mechanical, and hauntingly beautiful. It is a perfect closer for a track that wears its horror influences on its sleeve.

Listen & Support

“Killer” is available now on all major streaming platforms. You can support the artist directly by purchasing the track on Bandcamp or streaming it on Spotify using the players below.

Stream & Download
Recommendations
Music, News, Reviews
Cover art for Vice Grip by Before After Again

Vice Grip: New Uptempo Synthpop from Before After Again

January 15, 2024
Cover art for Vice Grip by Before After Again

Before After Again picks up the tempo with “Vice Grip,” a track that wraps dark lyrical themes in a bright, energetic package.

A Study in Contrast

“Vice Grip” is defined by its sparse instrumentation and a snappy, driving drum track that immediately induces movement. Musically, the chorus feels uplifting and anthemic, a classic synthpop earworm. However, digging into the lyrics reveals a narrative of distress, brokenness, and a toxic dynamic described as a “siege.”

This juxtaposition, dancing while “falling apart,” is a hallmark of the best coldwave and synthpop. It suggests that sometimes the only way to handle the “fracture” is to move through it.

Lyrics

I can’t believe you’re broken now
It’s pitiful
Such distress it tears us all apart
No shame no blame no reckoning
Just look at you
A fractured piece will lie away in waste

She swings a delightful
Comatose no breathing
Don’t fight it now it hurts you in the end
A fall from where she’d thought she’d been forgiven
For all the things she never should have said

Under your siege now
Your vice grip it pleases
Screaming but nothing
It sounds so enticing

I like the way you look at me
It tears into
Seeking trust in eyes you know that lie
So please decide what’s right
What’s wrong it matters none
The end it comes in every way you know

She swings a delightful
Comatose no breathing
Don’t fight it now it hurts you in the end
A fall from where she’d thought she’d been forgiven
For all the things she never should have said

Under your siege now
Your vice grip it pleases
Screaming but nothing
It sounds so enticing

Under your siege now
Your vice grip it pleases
Screaming but nothing
It sounds so enticing

Listen & Support

“Vice Grip” is available now on all major streaming platforms. You can support the artist directly by purchasing the track on Bandcamp or streaming it on Spotify using the players below.

Stream & Download
Recommendations
Music, News, Reviews
Cover art for Tachyon by Plastic Horizon

Tachyon: New Anthemic Outrun Single from Plastic Horizon

January 12, 2024
Cover art for Tachyon by Plastic Horizon

Plastic Horizon hits the accelerator with “Tachyon,” a track that pays homage to the neon-soaked aesthetics of the Outrun genre while carving out its own lane.

A Slow Burn to Redline

While many Outrun tracks rely on high-speed tempos from the start, “Tachyon” takes a more deliberate approach. It runs at a moderate tempo, opening with a stripped-down, skeletal arrangement. A driving bassline locks in with a minimal drum track, allowing a lonely melody line to drift over the top like streetlights passing on a midnight drive.

The Anthemic Release

The track is a study in momentum. It builds patiently, layer by layer, until it erupts with anthemic guitar rhythms that transform the song from a moody synth piece into a stadium-sized rocker. The composition cycles back to the driving intro groove, but this time with the full weight of the instrumentation intact, bringing the song home in a bombastic, cinematic ending.

Listen & Support

“Tachyon” is available now on all major streaming platforms. You can support the artist directly by purchasing the track on Bandcamp or streaming it on Spotify using the players below.

Stream & Download
Recommendations
Music, News, Reviews
Cover art for The Water That Pulls You Underneath by Before After Again

The Water That Pulls You Underneath: New Industrial from Before After Again

January 8, 2024
Cover art for The Water That Pulls You Underneath by Before After Again

Before After Again dives deep into the murky waters of industrial rock with “The Water That Pulls You Underneath,” a track that eschews radio-friendly polish for raw, aggressive intensity.

A Rebellious Offspring

Melding old-school industrial with EBM and darkwave, this sonic creation feels like the rebellious offspring of the 90s alternative scene. It channels the twisted spirit of Nine Inch Nails and the aggressive ethos of Front Line Assembly, masterfully combining raw intensity with melodious elements. It embodies a DIY, independent spirit that is unapologetically dark.

Lyrics

Automatic-cratic
With a taste for thrills
Focus on terror
And a pitiful soul

Baby’s got a chance
But the pretty don’t show
Watch yourself run
While the memories unfold

Hold on don’t breath
You won’t succeed
I am the water
That pulls you underneath

Existential truth
And a pain that’s real
Lock your heart in
Let it fall into place

Damage is done
Count your losses and fails
Pretty one loves
All the pain that it brings

Hold on don’t breath
You won’t succeed
I am the water
That pulls you underneath

Ticking time bomb
And its locked onto you
Cover your eyes
Like there’s nothing to do

Losing your mind
As you bask in the toil
Never look back
At the lives you destroyed

Hold on don’t breath
You won’t succeed
I am the water
That pulls you underneath

Listen & Support

“The Water That Pulls You Underneath” is available now on all major streaming platforms. You can support the artist directly by purchasing the track on Bandcamp or streaming it on Spotify using the players below.

Stream & Download
Recommendations
Uncategorized
Cover art for Ephemeris by Plastic Horizon

Ephemeris: New 2024 Cinematic Darkwave from Plastic Horizon

January 8, 2024
Cover art for Ephemeris by Plastic Horizon

Plastic Horizon launches a new series of singles with “Ephemeris,” a track that showcases the darker, more cinematic side of the project. While previous releases have explored upbeat synthpop, this composition drags the listener into the shadows.

A Score for Shadows

The origins of “Ephemeris” are rooted in drama. It was originally composed for the Campfire Radio Theater episode “Gerald,” serving as part of a larger score featuring around 30 pieces of music. Because of this, the track prioritizes atmosphere and tension over traditional song structures.

It opens with a spacious, brooding arrangement, creeping bass tones, a simple arp, and distant atmospheric textures that establish a sense of isolation. The production utilizes the stereo field to create a feeling of being watched, wrapping the listener in a cold, nocturnal mood that fits perfectly within the horror-synth canon.

The Heavy Build

As the composition progresses, it sheds its ambient skin and evolves into a powerful, sweeping groove. The production here hints at the weight of heavy metal, utilizing harmonized guitar leads that deliver the soaring power of twin guitars.

This shift from “creeping dread” to “anthemic power” transforms the track from background score to a main event. It creates a “wall of sound” finale that retains the darkness of the intro but delivers it with a driving force that will appeal to fans of Killer and other heavier synthwave tracks.

Listen & Support

“Ephemeris” is available now on all major streaming platforms. You can support the artist directly by purchasing the track on Bandcamp or streaming it on Spotify using the players below.

Stream & Download
Recommendations
Music, News, Reviews
Cover art for Carousel by Before After Again

Carousel: New Dark Wave Ballad from Before After Again

January 1, 2024
Cover art for Carousel by Before After Again

Before After Again kicks off the new year by taking listeners into the deepest abysses of dark wave with their latest work, “Carousel.”

A Journey Through Dark Landscapes

“Carousel” is a slow, brooding track that feels more like a nightmare than a dream. With stripped-down instrumentation and a low-energy vocal delivery, it captures a specifically mournful atmosphere.

As described by ElectroZombies (Thomas Frenken): “This melancholic ballad, drenched in melancholy, takes us on a journey through dark landscapes. The song itself sounds almost depressive, with a slow, low-energy delivery that perfectly captures the mournful atmosphere.”

Lyrics

Daughter son
Don’t make a scene
It’s no one’s fault
Don’t pin your blame on me

Carousel
Don’t need to keep
Another fall
From grace you think you need

No one’s home
Nothing’s wrong
Rest your weary eyes my dear
No one’s home
Nothing’s wrong
Rest your weary eyes my dear

Water pools
Through vacant eyes
It leads you through
All of my Twisted lies

Down the walls
My mirror drags
It looks my way but darling don’t look back

No one’s home
Nothing’s wrong
Rest your weary eyes my dear
No one’s home
Nothing’s wrong
Rest your weary eyes my dear

Listen & Support

“Carousel” is available now on all major streaming platforms. You can support the artist directly by purchasing the track on Bandcamp or streaming it on Spotify using the players below.

Stream & Download
Recommendations
Music, News, Reviews