We Speak Music

Vision Video Delivers Masterful Tune ‘Balaclava Kiss’

Published

8 months ago

July 24, 2024

The highly anticipated recent single from modern goth rock band Vision Video, “Balaclava Kiss,” is set to captivate listeners with its brooding atmosphere and soaring melodies. This single offers a tantalizing taste of what’s to come in their upcoming album, set to dominate playlists later this year.

“Balaclava Kiss” intricately weaves together poignantly poetic lyrics and lavishly layered instrumentals, showcasing the band’s signature blend of ethereal synths, driving basslines, and evocative guitar riffs. Frontman Dusty Gannon’s mesmerizing vocals, dripping with raw emotion, soar over the dynamic soundscape below. Co-vocalist and keyboardist Emily Fredock perfectly complements Dusty’s commanding melodic lines with her striking vocal tone and powerful performance prowess.

Vision Video remains unwavering in their exploration of the human psyche in their lyrics, and “Balaclava Kiss” is no different, delving deep into the complexity of the human condition. Speaking on the creative process of the single, frontman Dusty Gannon shares:

“I take a lot of inspiration from my observations of interesting imagery that I see in the world. I saw a picture a while back of someone raising up a balaclava to kiss a person, and it felt like such a beautiful, dualistic image that inspired the spirit of the song. ‘Balaclava Kiss’ is essentially a protest song that we wrote about the rise of fascist, right-wing ideology in the world. Here in America, we’re watching an intense commitment to the denigration of human rights, both through domestic and foreign policy. Seeing the unmasking of things like Project 2025 and Trump’s appointed Supreme Court rolling back decades of legal precedents that protected human rights and freedoms is both alarming and sickening, but conversely, the Democratic party supporting the unabashed attempted genocide of Palestinians is equally disturbing. This song is all about getting out into the streets and protesting, but in a non-violent, non-compliant sort of way—and with the police and corporate surveillance becoming so pervasive, balaclavas are an excellent way to subvert facial recognition algorithms!”

With such an important sentiment at the heart of this single, “Balaclava Kiss” is poised to become an instant classic in the rock realm. Showcasing their unique brand of modern goth rock, Vision Video cements their place as torchbearer of the genre right now.

We Speak Music

Ervin Munir Drops Second Studio Album, “Pure and Simple”

Published

6 hours ago

April 2, 2025

Emily

Returning with his second studio album, “Pure and Simple”, Norfolk-based singer-songwriter Ervin Munir impresses! Following his first album, “Broken Compass”, Ervin does not fail to enthral with a sound which is uniquely his own. Moreover, he emphasises love, grief and loss in this album which will take you on a trip to remember.

One of the highlights of “Pure and Simple” is its many collaborations with a versatile list of musicians, which give the album depth and edge. Tina Blaber’s vocals on “King and Doors” add extra dimension to the album and Aeron Z Jones’s contributions on bass, electric, and slide guitar bring newfound energy.

“Pure and Simple” finds the perfect mix between grandeur and intimacy right from beginning to end. ‘Felixstowe”, is one of the album’s best and it captures its emotional depth and employs a strong drum solo to accentuate its poignant delivery. It is stripped-back but very touching and it is a magnificent distillation of Ervin’s musical vision. “Doors” highlights Munir’s adaptability as his delicate piano playing accentuates Blaber’s harmonies and it produces a very personal feeling.

“Pure and Simple” is evidence of Ervin Munir’s musicianship, honest candour, and engaging songwriting. For everyone who values sincere narrative via song, this album is a must-listener providing times of contemplation and pure musical enjoyment.