Author: Bartłomiej Krawczyk
On November 24, 2023, the premiere (via Manic Depression Records) of the second studio album by the native darkwave/dark electro duo Stridulum, titled "Paradigm", took place. This is definitely a piece of music that I still like to come back to and will come back to in the future
I already liked the previous album (full-length debut) of Stridulum - "Soothing Tales of Escapism" (2021) - very much, but after listening to "Paradigm" several times, I dare say that the latest album by Marita and Arkadiusz is even better, more multidimensional, with a beautiful autumn-winter, melancholic style.
It cannot be denied that I listened to "Paradigm" during a rather difficult period in my life and thanks to this it was much easier for me to identify with Stridulum , its lyrical layer and charming atmosphere. There are several favorite artists whose music particularly appeals to me (e.g. Shape of Despair, Of the Wand and the Moon, Linea Aspera, Lycia, most recently The Devil's Trade, etc.), and Stridulum joins the list with "Paradigm" clusters. In my subjective ranking, it is the most melancholic dark electro/darkwave album since Linea Aspera "II" (2020).
Here, from the very beginning of listening, you can feel the synchronicity with the flowing dark electronic sounds. This is a sign of excellent musical sense: Stridulum's can be dark, reflective, sad and therefore compatible with the taste of sensitive listeners who have encountered it. Many fragments on "Paradigm" truly moved me, and the lyrical layer of "Debris" or "Eterna" touched anyone who is experiencing some internal dilemmas - related to the sense of guilt, the senselessness of existence, the loss of love or friendship, longing for what was, but gone forever - he could relate.
On "Paradigm" the listener will find many interesting flavors, dance rhythms and memorable fragments, e.g. the thrilling ambient-trance electronics in "Wasteland" (beginning around 2:30 min.) or the hypnotic shoegaze guitar in the phenomenally atmospheric "Astray" (guest star here is Manu H. from Distance H.) Basically every song is memorable, surprising with something. Of course, there is plenty of darkness and melancholy on the latest album, present for example in "Sorrow" or in the ethereal "Flame", which reminds me of Lycio's musical achievements, in which Marita's singing perfectly complements the deep vocal of Peer from Golden Apes.
I should also mention the quite warm, yet still touching "Refugium" - this song reminded me of a soothing sense of security when we are in the company of those closest to us. And although distinguished guests appear at "Paradigm", the enormous musical talent and commitment of Marita and Arkadiusz must be appreciated. It's surprising that Stridulum is a relatively unknown project in Poland. On the other hand, our native gothic scene is not significant compared to the British, German, French or American ones. One could even make a bold claim that it is only in its infancy. I hope to see the Stridulum duo live one day, in the meantime, I encourage you to watch the music videos for "Astray" and "Eterna" and to listen and buy "Paradigm".
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