Vide Obscur are a Cologne, Germany-based duo who have just come to my attention thanks to their latest EP. Spanning an impressive range of genres, it’s called 1.
By Graeme Smith
Vide Obscur are artist and producer Julian Stetter, and producer and multi-instrumentalist Jakob Lebsanft. Individually they’ve produced for some big names, but together they offer something a little different. 1 is a six track EP, recorded organically over a five day session.
The EP opens with Lovers In the Night. Right away, you get the impression that the pair’s sound is going to be difficult to categorise. Jazzy percussion is joined by grungy, shoegaze-esque guitar. The vocals are low and melancholic in the verse before exploding to pleading life in the chorus. It’s beautifully eclectic and a great introduction to the world of Vide Obscur.
Weaponized Ideas is relatively upbeat in comparison giving us some jangly indie rock and a reluctant sense of hope. It’s a track that canters along, inducing a nodding head and swaying shoulders. The visceral storytelling in its lyrics and the psychedelic breakdown at its end makes it a highlight.
Le Troisième Regard is a slow and brooding number at the heart of the EP. It takes its time progressing, with minimal instrumentals and spoken word vocals before haunting guitar notes and touches of percussion round things out. Loss For Words is short but rich with atmosphere, rumbling bass provides the bedrock over which its metallic experimentation is poured.
Happiness is darkly wonderous with contemplative vocals and a driving, eccentric rhythm. All Is Under Construction then closes the EP with a lively yet meditative finale. It best showcases Vide Obscur’s rock chops without being exactly that. It’s the perfect end to a collection that refuses to be kept in a box.
1 is out now via Treibender Teppich Records. You can give it a listen below.