Album Review: Of Desire by The KVB

Upon its release, Mirror Being's experimental synth instrumentals seemed like a fun way for the KVB to indulge their inner Blade Runner before returning to their regularly scheduled blend of darkwave and shoegaze. However, Of Desire makes it clear that the duo wasn't dabbling: recorded with synths from Invada Records head Geoff Barrow's formidable arsenal, these songs find Kat Day and Nicholas Wood cultivating their gloomy mystique in new ways. As on Mirror Being, atmosphere is everything, with somber interludes such as "Primer," "V11393," and, fittingly, "Mirrors" setting the tone.

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Nicholas Wood might have started The KVB as a bedroom project in his hometown of Southampton, but it was inevitable he'd end up in his spiritual home of Berlin at some point. The duo - partner Kat Day joined in 2010 - and their icy, electronic darkwave fits in with the city's industrial landscape and musical heritage, albeit gleaned from other celebrated artists relocating there from various corners of the globe. So it probably comes as no surprise to hear that Of Desire, their fifth album in as many years references the holy trinity of David Bowie, Iggy Pop and Lou Reed on several occasions.

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Geoff Barrow has never usually been a shy man when it comes to telling people that he doesn’t like certain elements of the music industry. Usually, he’s right. So when a band releases something on his label, it’s probably a good idea to sit up and take notice. ‘Of Desire’ is The KVB’s second LP on the Portishead and BEAK> man’s Invada Records and Barrow invited the band to record the album in his studio where they were free to raid his synth collection.

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For every pioneer filled with the arrows of disinterest, misunderstanding and, on occasion, outright hatred and disdain, there will always be those that pick up the trail to forge ahead to be quickly followed by any number of ersatz clones gleefully tearing strips away to wrap themselves in the clothing of the dead and bask in a reflected glory. And while it's inescapable to escape one's influences, the real trick is in knowing what to do with them and in this respect, The KVB are very much the kind of band that picks up where others have left off to press on. Along the way, The KVB have acquired the patronage and approval of some influential friends that have included Anton Newcombe, Geoff Barrow and Sonic Boom and the latter two feature at this juncture of the band's story as label boss and taking charge of the mastering respectively.

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