In the wake of their 2021 critically lauded album Afraid To Leave, Berlin-based post-punk ensemble Bleib Modern has embarked on an intriguing venture: reaching out to a coterie of artistically aligned peers, the band invited them to reinterpret their tracks. The result is the compilation 2 Afraid 2 Leave, a gathering of remixes and reimaginings that spans the spectrum of darkwave, post-punk, and EBM sounds. 2 Afraid 2 Leave offers listeners a chance to experience Bleib Modern’s music from an altered vantage point, a welcome interlude as the band forges ahead with new creations.
Jack Milwaukee, aka M!R!M, infused his signature dreamy lo-fi bedroom synthpop sound into this exquisite reinterpretation of Into The Night. The more guitar-heavy original, with a psychedelic plodding sound evoking Echo and the Bunnymen, has been transformed into a soaring darkwave number with glistening synths.
Accompanying the new version of the song is a visually arresting music video, the handiwork of the band’s drummer, Thomas Schamann, endearingly referred to as “glitchboy.” This self-directed visual narrative artfully stitches together scenes from their vibrant Fall 2021 tour with M!R!M. As it unfolds, the video traverses the landscapes of Germany, France, and the Czech Republic, each frame offering an intimate lens into Bleib Modern’s vigorous live performances and their creative journey. It’s a piece that not only complements the music but also provides a window into the band’s spirited sojourns and artistic endeavours.
Watch the video for the M!R!M Remix of “Into The Night” below:
2 Afraid 2 Leave is an eclectic treasure trove of collaboratio, from the pulsating club rendition of Bitter Smile by IV Horsemen, to Danish artist Dune Messiah’ crooner version of Loony Voices. The album also boasts contributions from luminaries like The KVB, The Underground Youth, Blind Delon, Shad Shadows, and an array of side projects by Bleib Modern’s own members.
2 Afraid 2 Leave is set for release on February 23rd by Wave Tension Records (vinyl) and Icy Cold Records.
You can pre-order it here.
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