New York City Post Punk/Dark Wave project Ren Flowers delivers BIG on their debut album “Anhedonia”.
Everything kicks off with the ominous mid tempo paced piece “Provenance”. It’s rugged droning intro and melodic synths mesh perfectly with it’s gloomy vocal delivery and set the pace for what’s to come in fine form.
A fluttering flash of pulsating synths and an infectious beat are what drives “Time By Design”. It’s got a very danceable feel that’s also surrounded in darkness and chaos in the absolute best way. Meanwhile tracks like “Murphy” and “Windswept” take things into an even more experimental direction while still maintaining it’s gothic/dark wave like presence.
The drive and fire continue with the frantic feel of “Doppelganger”. The vocals hit seriously haunting levels as a plethora of crashing noise reeks havoc over top of it’s flourishing rhythm.
My favorite track on the record just might be “Death In The Morning”. It has all of the elements of being a post punk anthem as it’s dark swooning vocals and cold wave melodies are sure to have you coming back to this one time and time again.
Other highlights include the percussion heavy appeal of “Eden”, the moody wavering swagger of “Faulty” and the albums closing number “EMPathy”.
Overall “Anhedonia” is an incredible record that is sure to satisfy your need for relentless gloom and doom. It’s incredibly powerful and not afraid to take chances and challenge the listener. Clearly one of the best records of 2022.
Listen to “Death In The Morning” below and get the full album here.
