Red Painted Red
That Was The Reason Why
(Zoharum)
'That Was The Reason Why' is Manchester duo Red Painted Red's first studio album in 8 years and they've been busy gestating a sound that melds electronic, industrial, folk, and pop, producing an eclectic and sometimes surprising mix.
That Was The Reason Why suggests Chris and Cosey as a reference point, but I disagree in that this has a far greater depth and breadth, although it owes debts to that scene for sure as well as ambient electronics and sixties psychedelia. Samples of mooing cows, church bell, intimate vocals and spookily lilting tunes are underpinned by harsher tones, none of which is thrust aggressively in your face, rather it draws you in bit by bit.
Industrial folk is a term that springs to mind and it certainly has a whimsical quality that is rare in this genre. When The Orb were at their peak this was the sound of the time and it has a certain trippy vibe about it that is hard to pin down.
Talking of pins, I certainly wouldn't pin an industrial label on this as some have. It's cleverly inventive and well worth the investment of time to listen to properly (so no Spotify track skipping behaviours please!) with Hammond-y organs doing battle with chimes, funk bass, and processed vocals. Imagine Cabaret Voltaire reinvented (sort of).
The CD even comes with a very cool set of seven postcards depicting a range of iconic images from the 70s from IRA outrages to Mary, Mungo and Midge. If I had to sum this up I'd say Red Painted Red washes over you in waves like an electronic ocean and on the strength of 'That Was The Reason Why' is highly likely to induce an altered, trance-like state, so please do take care whilst listening to this when driving or operating heavy machinery! Red Painted Red are an act to watch.
'That Was The Reason Why' comes out on Zoharum Records on October 17th
