In the sprawling urban labyrinth of Los Angeles, where the shadowy beats of the underground music scene resonate across the globe, resides the enigmatic masked maestro Kontravoid (aka Cameron Findlay). This Canadian electronic music virtuoso plunges headfirst into the abyss of dystopia, isolation, and existentialism, crafting an auditory journey that’s moodier than your average goth at a family reunion. Kontravoid’s music is like being in a dark, smoky room with a hint of existential dread, and someone whispers something into your ear, causing you to crack a wry smile.
Building on this enigmatic presence, Kontravoid unleashes “For What It Is,” the lead single from his forthcoming album Detachment. The song is like a jetski through a neon-lit haunted house, with dizzying arpeggiated synths that set the scene for a retro-futuristic ghost story, while Kontravoid’s vocals are so dark and brooding that they make Edgar Allan Poe sound like Dr. Seuss. And just when you think you’ve ventured too far into the shadows, they hit you with those ascending darkwave hooks that latch firmly onto your soul.
Listen to “For What It Is” below:
In the ever-evolving landscape of the international darkwave scene, Kontravoid casts a long, enigmatic shadow. This masked persona, emerging from the depths of Cameron Findlay’s psyche, has etched a distinctive mark in the genre since his self-titled debut in 2012. With this inaugural album, not only did an arresting new voice emerge, but also a sound that defies easy categorization—a hypnotic fusion of EBM, electro, and gothic sensibilities that lingers in the mind like a half-remembered dream.
The music of Kontravoid is less a collection of songs and more a voyage into the stygian reaches of dance music. His 2019 album, Too Deep, pulses with a life force seemingly drawn from the most hidden, mist-laden dance floors of the underground scene. In 2021, the Faceless EP continued this trajectory, its spectral melodies weaving through the strobe-lit ether, calling out to the lost souls of the night.
Yet, there’s a profound emotional depth to Kontravoid’s compositions that belies their mechanical shell. His music transcends mere rhythmic exploration to become poignant reflections of the human condition. This is most evident in the 2018 standout track “Undone,” where the rawness of human emotion is interlaced with the clinical precision of electronic beats, creating a piece that resonates with a haunting, melancholic beauty.
Kontravoid’s forthcoming new full-length album, Detachment, is set to release on March 1st via Artoffact Records. This release will be celebrated with a launch party at the Lodge Room in Los Angeles featuring Buzz Kull, God’s Mom, G•S•E•D, and Sayaka Nono as DJs.
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