Russian duo, Love Object, release striking video for latest single, “The Kill”
Hailing from Moscow, Love Object, comprised of Dasha Utochka & Danya Mu, describe themselves as a blend between EBM, electroclash, and disco.
The pair actually goes by Объект Желания (Ob’yekt Zhelaniya), or Object of Desire, in Russia, but didn’t want to conflict with Italians Do It Better label-mates, Desire. With close meaning and succinct sound, they decided to make the switch to Love Object.
Backstory
There is a mythology behind the group, which ties into their subsequently narrative videos.
“Love Object is about mind control & manipulation. Legend goes that mysterious character Danya Mu came to Russia by way of East Asia to conduct an experiment & transform a chosen girl, Dasha Utochka. He wants to turn her into a creature of a new kind, which will obey his dark plans and will be able to manipulate the vices and thoughts of people.”
In real life, the two have been both friends and Djs for some time. Dasha has toured as DJ Aktu, and Danya as Mucity. Danya had felt the urge to expand for some time and had asked Dasha repeatedly to do vocals for a project. When Dasha felt the sudden strike to make music as well, they happened to be flatmates at the time, so it was a natural pairing.
On top of their already energetic and charged music, Love Object has created a collective fantasy they plan to expound upon and tie together in future videos. In their video for previous single, “Transparent Woman,” Dasha’s character is up for auction to a host of odd characters, until things go awry. (They elaborate on their concept further in a great interview from this past June, if you’re interested in reading more.)
Once again at the behest of Danyu’s character, Dasha’s appears, with dark clone or AI gone wrong visuals, to be being experimented upon. Confined to a medical chair, with various tubes and IV protruding, she violently objects to being object. She will not be another’s mean to an end and liberates herself from being reduced to experiment, katana in hand. Blue slime is also a plus.
‘The Kill’
(Pro-tip: Make sure your Youtube display is set to 1080p.)
Lyric Excerpt
| Сегодня Убивает любовь Убивают слова Но сегодня тебя Убивать буду я Убивает страх Убивает мечта Отдай свое тело Ты и я навсегда | Today Love Kills Words Kill But Today It’s Me Who’s Going To Kill Fear Kills Dream Kills Give Your Body Away You & Me Forever |
Sofya Atalikova – Video Director
The video was directed by experimental makeup-artist turned director, Sofya Atalikova. By chance, I’ve followed Atalikova on Instagram (@kristallikova) for sometime. She has a unique creative vision and it’s been exciting to see the growth of her work. Similarly strange, aesthetically surreal, and also a bit sci-fi, her debut short, Sisters, is worth the quick watch.
“Fashion story about the electronic witches of the future. The technical revolution prevailed over magic and the last Sabbath decides to sacrifice itself to transfer all the strength to the younger sister and continue the struggle for mysticism in this world.”
Upcoming Debut Album
Having both been in the music industry for years already, Love Object felt a pressure, or perhaps better said – set a bar for themselves to reach as far as quality was concerned. They’ve delivered on their goal and have been releasing consistently strong tracks. Subsequently though, they’ve only released three singles so far, plus a cover of Madonna’s “Frozen.” BUT, their much-anticipated debut album New Flesh will be out on December 3.
Love Object can be found on-
Instagram
Facebook
Spotify
Their new single can be purchased exclusively here.
Italians Do It Better
Representing acts like Chromatics, Desire, Glass Candy, Symmetry Orion, Club Intl, Double Mixte, Sally Shapiro, Juno Francis, Farah, JOON, & Glüme – more post-punk, synth-pop and Italo disco artists can be found through Italians Do It Better. They represent a range of artists from various countries and also have put out Motion Picture Soundtrack LP’s for for the likes of Twin Peaks & Drive. Johnny Jewel, of the label, himself, did the original score for Ryan Gosling’s directorial debut, Lost River and A Beautiful Now, by Daniela Amavia.
Personal recommendations–
Jorja Chambers, who toured extensively with Bryan Ferry & Roxy Music, is a must-listen for fans of saxophone. Captivating and cascading, I highly recommend her track, “I’ll Be Waiting for You,” which also happens to be mixed by Dean Hurley. If you’re a fan of Julee Cruise, think of yourself as dreamy and emotive, but perhaps are looking for electrified intensity over floating ethereality, then Jorja Chambers is for you. If you dig the following, be sure to check out the music video for such, in which she plays the aforementioned instrument under glowing moonlight.
Another artist of theirs that I’m also particularly excited for is the musical debut from iconic & daring, international model, Soo Joo Park as Ether. So far, she’s only been co-featured on Desire’s track “Haenim,” and stars in the corresponding music video. Park sings the poetic words of Kim Jung-mi in her native Korean; lulling vocals, visually set against a vengeance thriller. I’m eager to see what she does next.
More synth articles can be found here.