Lust For Youth - "International"

I saw Lust For Youth open for Pharmakon last year, which ranks among one of the stranger shows I have ever been to.  It was outside, in the front area of a small local record shop.  A handful of young children watched Margaret Chardiet stalk through the sparse crowd like an animal as she emitted feral howls of pain.  People were walking along the quaint suburban neighborhood during the entire performance, lending to the surreal "Blue Velvet" atmosphere of the whole scenario.  Even the combination of artists themselves was an odd mixture.  Lust For Youth were touring on the heels of their previous release, "Perfect View," which was much more pop-oriented than their earlier work.  They played a few unreleased songs that day which showcased hints of an even poppier direction.  When "International" was released this year, I can't say I was surprised at the new sound of Lust For Youth, but I was definitely floored at what a consistent album they produced.  Tracks such as "Illume" and "Armida" have memorable melodies and moody beats that call back to Depeche Mode or New Order.  Lust For Youth have scrubbed some of the dirt and grime from their sound, only to reveal beautiful layers of introspection contained beneath.

LUST FOR YOUTH - "INTERNATIONAL"

Sacred Bones Records 2014

Try it