Fader - In Shadow

by Dave Goodwin

published: 24 / 12 / 2019

Label: Blanc Check
Format: CD

Haunting and experimental synthpop on second album from duo Fader, the side project of Blancmange’s Neil Arthur

Review

Neil Arthur doesn't know when to stop, does he? I don't mean that in a nasty way. He's like that next door neighbour that can't sit down even on a Sunday and has to be doing something. More the better for us Blancmange fans too, I might add. I say that because, if you didn't know, Arthur is the mastermind behind 80's synth pop wonders Blancmange who spawned tracks such as ‘Living on the Ceiling’, ‘Waves’ and the ultra brilliant ‘Blind Vision’. Nowadays, as well as having reprised Blancmange he is involved in all sorts of other wonderful things, including this collaboration with Benge from John Foxx and the Maths'. The two masquerade as Fader and ‘In Shadow’ is their second album, which follows on from 2017's ‘First Light’. As well as being a member of the critically acclaimed the Maths, Benge's work includes his own solo albums and co-production with Gazelle Twin. As with that debut ‘First Light’, it was recorded and mixed at Benge’s Memetune Studios while Arthur worked on lyrics and vocals in his home studio. If you are looking for the syrup of Blancmange look again. The Fader sound is a little more sparse than that and involves a greater use of drum machines. That's not to say you haven't got the beat and dance ability of Blancmange. It's still there but this is a little darker and deeper. The creativity and experimentalism of Benge is obvious and combined with Arthur’s lyrical content it makes for a fascinating ride. Darkness is evident right from the off as ‘Always Suited Blue’ sets its tone of analogue synths making for something a little more sinister. Arthur’s vocals are more troubled and littered with uneasy random thoughts and disturbing emotions, even more so than they were on ‘First Light’. ‘Midnight Caller’ and ‘Mindsweeper ‘are perfect examples of this, finding him at his most bothered and restless. It all adds to the morose and fantastic sombreness that only Fader can fashion. The music, which is mostly created by Benge, is more forceful than the songs he wrote for the debut. A must for synth lovers and Blancmange fans of all types, ‘In Shadow’ has everything you need to make you happy.

Track Listing:-

1 Always Suited Blue
2 Midnight Caller
3 What Did It Say?
4 Youth on a Wall
5 Whispering
6 Aspirational
7 Enemy Fighter
8 Mindsweeper
9 In Shadow
10 Every Page
11 Reporting