The songwriting couple Handsome Furs, comprised of Wolf Parade co-frontman Dan Boeckner (alongside Spencer Krug) and wife Alexei Perry have released a new, synth-heavy new wave record that makes one miss Martin Rushent. Handsome Furs have become the new wave, video game music band of the year with Sound Kapital. In this respect, Handsome Furs have delivered, having stated that the record would have 1980s electronic and industrial influences. They could not have done it better, save perhaps having some tracks that would inspire a restraining order or have gothy, love-lost anthems. Nonetheless, the likes of the Human League and Throbbing Gristle are all over this nine-track couple's album.
Dan Boeckner approaches this record with a door-slamming demeanor, perpetuated by his immediate story on Sound Kapital. “When I Get Back” is a bassy, driven tune of desire, and could easily be a club-bumping tune save the vocal aspect. This song represents a cohesion of lyric and melody in its swiftness as Boeckner sings in a hurry to abandon his current emotional state and “get back home.” New wave lights up the track with synthesized layering to help push this message. The grinding electronica of Sound Kapital continues with “Damage,” a homage to Throbbing Gristle's melodic (yet still disorienting) side (what?).
Boeckner's side project may have created a modern, new wave record. However, it's set apart in its songwriting, which is far more comparable to Wolf Parade than Devo. This is a record of heavy self-release and expression, which goes to show that Boeckner's songwriting has not shifted from his time with Wolf Parade but rather is static. The hooks and chanted choruses are all still here, not to the degree of “This Heart's On Fire,” but nonetheless the energy is ever-present throughout Sound Kapital. There's the opening track, “When I Get Back,” but “Bury Me Standing” and “Memories of the Future” also reflect a musical scream on behalf of Boeckner. A theme of many of these songs is the pursuit of feeling better, and this theme is spelled out in Boeckner's voice and execution of his lyrics.
“What About Us” is a fulfilling dreary alley of a tune. That is to say, breaking someone's heart in the context of this song is on the same stature as murder. It's simplicity is grating, but in that respect it also replicates the same sensibilities of its 1980s counterpart. The Human League's Dare comes to mind when listening to this song. Dare is a fantastic album, however the static quality of lyricism and vocals are more than capable of being irritating. “What About Us” has that same character, perhaps making Handsome Furs some sort of post-synthpop group? Sure.
A common criticism of Handsome Furs, as well as other Wolf Parade frontman Spencer Krug's side projects, is that it's simply not Wolf Parade. Dan Boeckner's work with Handsome Furs is miniscule compared to the Apologies to the Queen Mary. Handsome Furs have lacked that enthusiasm and inspiration; they are riding off the hype surrounding Boeckner. So it seems. However, the song “Repatriated” has changed that thought in me as the gem of Sound Kapital, confirming that Boeckner is capable of creating great songs without the Krug in the room. Boeckner chants over the best synthesizer lines on the album that he will “never be repatriated.” Repatriated back to Wolf Parade? Regardless of its meaning, Boeckner is able to make himself distinct, alongside his wife, as a songwriter and new wave revivalist.
Check out "Repatriated" below:
Check out "This Heart's On Fire," one of Dan Boeckner's contributions to Wolf Parade's Apologies to the Queen Mary:
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