So let’s cut to the chase…. INVSN is a project featuring one Dennis Lyxzén of Refused/The (International) Noise Conspiracy fame on vocals but this English language début album is a difference beast entirely…
‘#61’ opens proceedings and immediately sets the atmosphere with stuttering synths and sparse chiming melodic chords that welcome’s Denis’ impassioned clean vocals, it has a very strong 80’s new wave/post-punk vibe that takes a lot of the same influences that inspire Finnish “Apocalyptic death-rockers” Beastmilk but direct it decidedly more overt upbeat pop territory in the vein of The Cure.
Don’t let that ‘P’ word put you off because what they lack in aggression and intensity they certainly make up for with cracking songwriting and hook laden choruses that often include bassist Sara Almgren singing alongside Denis to delightful affect.
The songwriting generally takes the ‘less is more’ method as the afore mentioned opening track maintains its sparse atmospherics throughout whilst slowly building momentum until it is superseded by the far more upbeat ‘Down In The Shadows’ with its strong driving rhythm and rumbling bass groove that counteracts well with the far more melodic yet hook laden chorus.
And that is pretty much what you get for the rest of the album as there are no great surprises in store once it settles into the ten tracks, forty five minute groove of melodic guitar lines, rumbling bass lines, danceable beats, occasional synths and huge choruses and doesn’t contain a duff track amongst it with ‘Our Blood’ being one of the highlights with its disco-esque vibe.
Give it a spin, it won’t change your world but it might surprise you how much you will actually enjoy it.
