It's easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the number of artists and bands that syphon nostalgic sounds through a contemporary lens. When it comes to the neon-tinged palette of the 80s, artists often walk a fine line between pastel-coloured, flamingo-toting cringe and pop perfection. Berlin-based upstarts BLOODHYPE fall dutifully into the latter category.
Since late 2019's single "Hate Candidate", the four-piece has become a five by adding a saxophonist to the mix that ushers in a new era of the band, one in which they learn ever-further into the many shades of their favourite decade. "Violent Heart" continues their departure away from punk rock, with frontman Elmar Weyland forgoing his guitar, to fully embrace his frontman position with an emphatic presence.
A subtle post-punk inspired melancholy brings the standout release into perfect balance, proving that BLOODHYPE's new chapter is set to be a no-doubt prosperous one.
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