What does Lipsmear sound like?

Darkwave grooves and synths mixed with gothic post-punk guitars.

The review ‘The Death of Light’ by Lipsmear

Hands up who knew that part of the effervescent synthpop band Freezepop also ran a side project? Lipsmear has Sean playing guitar, and Screamface (who tours with Freezepop when they play live) is on percussion. Instead of creating hyper-jolly synthpop ditties, Lipsmear is a goth darkwave band with a heavier sound. They’ve been playing live for a while, and ‘The Death of Light’ is their debut single.

This three track release opens with the title song. It’s a mid-tempo, sludgy wade through clever synth basslines that groove and post-punk guitar wails. The vocals are delivered with a theatrical flair. The gothic, raspy delivery cuts through the noise excellently, and the techno-future synths and beats pulsate with an industrial, cyberattack edge to them. Alongside the original is the Hector Fantastic’s Club Mix. The mix extends the track by a minute, amps up the kick drums, and adds a lot of vocal filters to the mix. It takes a while to feel noticeably different, but in the second half, the song leans into a mad circus vibe. The synths are bent and twisted into a mechanical synth wipe horror show, and it suits the track fantastically well. I’m reminded a lot of goth pop indie artist Voltaire, but he’s gone clubbing.

For all the fun the lead single and club mix bring, the b-side ‘Rayless’ didn’t gel for me. A tick-tock style piano and guitar rumble over slow percussion sets a brooding mood well. The track then gets more caustic and aggressive with guitars and wailing vocals, but they all often have been processed to be stripped of their depth and body. It’s as if most of the instruments have a vocal fry harshness to them. I felt like the different instruments were trying to out-compete each other in the same frequency, and it hurt my ears a little. I did enjoy the initial mood setting, though.

Lipsmear has potential, and I’m curious to see where this darkwave band goes in future recordings. They sound like a band feeling out their sound still, and that will come with time. It’s fun to hear happy artists express an alternative side. I hope an EP follows, which showcases their talents, soon.

Recommended track: The Death of Light

Support Higher Plain Music

Higher Plain Music is part of the Higher Plain Network – a one-man indie media project. If you like what I do, please consider supporting me via Patreon for as little as $1/£1 a month. In return, you’ll receive additional perks for supporting me, such as behind-the-scenes content and free downloads. You can also donate using PayPal. Sharing the website helps too or using the affiliate buy now links on reviews. I receive a few pence per Amazon sale. All your support will enable me to produce better content, more often. I’d love to make this a full-time media network and your support can make that happen. Thank you.