Artist: Clan Of Xymox Album: Notes From the Underground

Year: 2001
Duration: 0:0-1

Clan of Xymox's ‘Notes From the Underground’: A Critical Review

Lovers of the new wave and gothic rock genre, the Clan of Xymox band needs no introduction. Their dark, melancholic melodies and haunting vocals resonates with the souls of listeners. In Notes From the Underground, the group's fourteenth studio album, released in 2017, the Dutch musicians stayed true to their aesthetic while experimenting with new elements. The album drew mixed reactions, with some praising it for its exploration of electronic music, while others were disappointed that the trademark Clan of Xymox sound had been lost. In this review, we take a closer look at the album's highlights, its journey as a band and their genre of music.

Clan of Xymox is a prominent band in the gothic rock genre that has been creating music in the underground alternative scene since 1981. The music group originated in Amsterdam but eventually moved base to Germany. Initially, they were a trio, but over the years, the group size changed, and eventually, the current lineup features only two original members, Ronny Moorings and Mojca Zugna. Their early music works were highly influenced by bands like Joy Division and New Order. The band gained its unique sound by infusing elements of punk, new wave, and gothic rock into their music.

Notes From the Underground is an album that explores new and varied music arrangements, particularly electronic music. The album’s opening track, The Rain Will Wash Away, sets the tone for an immersive experience throughout the rest of the album. The song's haunting synths and lyrics entrench you in the gothic realm, with haunted sentiments that stay with you throughout the other tracks.

One of the best songs in the album is Loneliness. The track combines smooth yet melancholic melodies with cinematic instrumentals to make an incredibly captivating sound. The lyrics delve into the emotions one can feel when alone and the struggle to self-expression. Another highlight of this album is A Day, a return to their gothic roots, influences which are highly audible here with a slower tempo than most of the other songs in the album.

With this long career journey, Clan Of Xymox has always been praised for being one of the most influential bands in the gothic scene. However, while Notes From the Underground was filled with experimentation and creative direction, particularly through its use of electronic instrumentation, it felt like the band was trying too hard to adapt to newer musical trends. This change resulted in disappointment among fans who believed that the music group lost their musical identity.

In the end, the Clan of Xymox's Notes From the Underground album is a mixed bag of electronic experimentation and some of their gothic roots, which for some fans may come as a pleasant surprise, and for others as a disappointment. Still, the overall experimentation serves as a new direction for the band to explore and evolve their sound. Ultimately, the Clan Of Xymox keeps pressing forward, creating music that still connects to their fans and stays in line with their unique style. The band is one of the most resilient and consistent in the gothic genre, and their latest album adds to their discography of classic dystopian themes, treated with futuristic production.