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Okay, so Julien K may sound like the name of a  rather fabulous hair stylist – and for the record their haircuts really are fierce – but in reality it’s a group made up of four extremely creative individuals who are creating a much needed stir in the rock world. The fearless group of four are not afraid to try something new; “I don’t give a shit about sales co-founder Ryan Shuck admits “I give a shit about making a wave” and make a wave they did. The band has already achieved suchfeats as playing the main stage on the Projekt Revolution tour, and having a song featured on the blockbuster film soundtrack to Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen, as well as having their debut   video featured on playboy.com. The Gothic electronic rock band, formed by Amir Derakh and Ryan Shuck of platinum-selling group Orgy and completed by Brandon Belsky and Elias Andra, originally released Death To Analog back in March this year, yet it was not until October 10th that it was released worldwide. Produced by close friend Chester Bennington (Of Dead By Sunrise/Linkin Park) and mixed by Tim Palmer (The Cure, U2, HIM) the album was in the hands of people who knew what Julien K wanted to achieve with their sound, thus equaling 14 original passion infused, electronic pop-rock tracks, written and composed by the band themselves – some from as far back as 2003, when the band first began. Death To Analog brings a refreshing, electric twist to today’s rock scene with just under an hour of dark, stylish, hard-hitting tracks that will take you right to the edge and back. In the words of Queen Latifa – “Buckle up for safety mother f**ker!”

The start up to title track, Death to Analog sounds more like the engine of the Millennium Falcon (Star Wars Folks!) than the beginning of a song, yet as soon as the beat kicks in along with the aggressive, husky vocals and heavy lyrics “There’s no right//To survive/Got to fight/Stay alive” you know you’re not in Chewbacca territory anymore. The song boldly crosses in and out between  chanting chorus’s, softly sung verses, and robotic spoken word in this mad mix of electro-dance/rock, which manages to temporarily transport your mind to a place where you feel almost invincible. Psychedelic man! Continuing to mess with your mind; even the clean version of the video that accompanies  ‘Kick the Bass’ is not for the faint hearted. Featuring explicit elements of a sexual nature – including reference to bondage and masochism – drugs, and even cannibalism, the video echoes the intensely ferocious, hypnotic feel that Julien K’s debut single provides.

Technical Difficulties, the fourth track on DTA is another beat heavy electric track which creates a feeling of energetic chaos, reminiscent of early Depeche Mode. The chants along with Shuck’s heavily synthesized vocals also bring a futuristic element to the song, not surprising since it’s featured in the second Transformers movie. Systeme de Sexe is a track which would probably be more appropriate in a very different kind of movie if you catch my drift. Shuck’s velvety vocals  flow over the -very intentional- pulsating synth beat creating a sexy, sensually charged track, however I can’t help but find some of the lyrics “You let your body talk//You know what I mean”and heavy female breathing a little bit cheesy. Not perhaps my personal favorite but never the less another catchy track.

On the other hand, Julien K’s fantastic cover of the new wave track “Nvr Say Nvr” is definitely my top track from the album. The vocals teamed with the synths sound darker on this rather lusty track, bringing to mind sinister, sleazy connotations that could entice those not interested by Romeo Void’s original take. The album ends with the incoherently catchy Futura (DTA Mix), a beat driven song alive with energetic synths and impressive drum and guitar parts, It’s a track that’ll be stuck in your head for days.

In short, Death To Analog is a 14-track frenzied look into the passionate minds of Orgy’s Shuck and Derakh. With catchy hooks, pulsating beats and that modern twist of electric pop-rock that’s just right, it’s hard not to find a track that you’ll love on this album, just make sure you don’t listen to it in front of your parents – awkward!

For Fans Of: Orgy, Depeche Mode, New Order
Overall Rating Out Of 10: 9/10
Top Tracks To Listen To: Death To Analog, Stranded, Nvr Say Nvr, Futura

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