Brilliant Sophomore Release from Diesein
Even the Best are the Worst is the second album from Diesein, the solo music project of Laslo Antal, second half of electro noir duo, Sixth June. Antal is a visual artist, designer, filmmaker and musician, formerly from Belgrade, based in Berlin.
Just released today, October 1st, I’ve had my eye out for this album unveiling and it did not disappoint. Even the best are the worst continues with the quality of sound as to be expected off of his first record, Songs about Sally, and pushes previous expectations to a new level. This album is a stunner and a must-listen.
Even the best are the worst feels imperative and forward-driven throughout. Lyrics are moody, pondering, impassioned, romantic. Hope and despair would seem like a trite thematic descriptor. It would be more accurate to say there is a dance between hope and expectation. Lamented contemplations layered with urgency, a heartstring of willingly foolish love and open-hearted naiveté shot through by a chord of dire feeling. A lump in the throat of a dream.
Depeche Mode is all too often thrown around as a descriptor, but they’re palpable here. It’s audible as a reference, though if only as a jumping off point. Diesein stays fresh and original, and if anything, fans of the former will find mental intrigue in hearing the notes of influence weave and intertwine with Diesein’s inventive and expansive instrumentation. Fans of acts like Silly Dige and Riki would also feel stimulated, but at home here. Though a very different project, at times, to my ears, there are also tones subtly reminiscent of VOWWS, for example on “Drop Dead” and “Trial.”
The opening track “Sofia” is captivating and beautifully melodic. Soft, powerful and tinged with sadness. The song builds into a flurry and slew of harmonics, before it lets us down gently.
I was already smitten, but the deal was sealed when I heard the lurid saxophone leading us into “Lame Excuses.” This song grabbed me from the opening, stays absolutely magnetic. And when I thought it couldn’t get any better, I have to say the bridge-chorus towards the latter half is one of the best things I have heard in a long time (and I listen to a lot of music). Somehow how Antal manages to sound like the incarnate, haunting, desert sand music video, vessel of Dave Gahan, while still retaining his own clear energy and voice.
“Drop Dead” is a true feat of fusion between this previously described groove and post-punk guitar stylings.
The beginning of the next track, “Only Friends,” is reminiscent of Enya’s “Orinoco Flow” – in the best way possible. I don’t know how they managed the inspiration to tie New Age orchestral string-plucking into a contemporary sound with edge, but I’m here for it.
An earlier released single, “Find Your Love” is a New Wave fever dream and another example of Antal’s visual talent. Black Celebration lives anew in the vocal nods to “Fly on the Windscreen.” Somehow he’s woven the hot breathy staccato of the aforementioned into a languid, but energetic, pop-ballad. The lyrics- lovelorn and torn, through floating chorus sung in round; the call-to-action pulls you in. There is at once so much fluidity and tension.
“Do you wanna be on my side
Do you wanna be
Do you wanna be
It seems there is no one
Who will ever find, find your love“
Limited Art Release
The album offers 10 songs. In addition to the digital release, a special art release will be available as well, including: cassette, lyric sheets, and an original 3 color Lino cut print signed by the artist. Limited to 30 copies.
Antal received a second master’s from Universität der Künste Berlin, so the release format makes sense as an extension of his requisite passion. Antal creates handmade mixed media artworks.
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Even from his earliest releases, Diesein has started incredibly strong. I’m excited to see what future releases bring us, but for now I’m going to be listening to this one on repeat for a while.
Find Diesein here:
Bandcamp
Visual Art
Check out more synth here.