Catchy beats and sharp lyrics: Solar Fake's new masterpiece
Album facts
Release Date: May 24th, 2024
Label: Pointless Music
Tags: Solar Fake, Synth Pop
Discogs: Solar Fake – Don't Push This Button
Partially sounds like: De/Vision, VNV Nation, Pet Shop Boys, Blackbook
Final score: 4.1 stars
The seventh studio album by the band "Solar Fake", "Don't push this button!", marks a significant turning point in the career of Sven Friedrich. With the release on his own label "Pointless Music", the Berlin musician is breaking new ground. The combination of heavy beats and big melodies leaves little room for quiet moments, while Sven remains true to his stylistic line and yet integrates new influences. The astute lyrics and the emotional depth of the music reach a new peak in his work. The album title refers to human behaviour, acting against better judgement, and thus reflects many facets of our lives.
A rousing start and a catchy hit
The opener "Hurts So Bad" by Solar Fake is a real smasher. The first time I heard it, I was immediately captivated by the typical, rousing sound that I love so much. The track is upbeat and danceable, immediately drawing me onto the dance floor, while the profound lyrics perfectly complement the emotional level. The song stays true to its line, which will particularly please fans of Solar Fake. It definitely has the potential to be released as a single and could quickly become a favourite. "Hurts So Bad" is a successful introduction and promises great things for the rest of the album.
And it hurts so bad
It’s a life I never wanted!
Lyrics from "Hurts So Bad" by "Solar Fake"
The song "Not So Important" from "Don't Push The Button" immediately captivated me with its deep bass and almost naïve melody. The second single from the album is extremely catchy, which is mainly due to the mantra-like repetition of the title "not so important" in the lyrics. I can already imagine how the crowds will enthusiastically sing along at the concerts. The lyrics address the theme of insignificance in an interesting way, and how people relativise the importance of things. For me, "Not So Important" is one of the highlights of the album and is simply fun in every respect. An absolute must for every lover of synth pop and electro pop.
Emotional depth and danceable sounds
The song "Disagree" by Solar Fake is an impressive piece of work that I have rated with 4 stars. We get exactly what we expect from the band: a fantastic synth pop song with the typical Solar Fake DNA. The lyrics of the song deal with personal and social conflicts as well as emotional alienation, which gives the whole thing a serious touch. Nevertheless, the track is wrapped in a light and fast sound, which creates a fascinating contrast. Overall, "Disagree" is a successful mix of profound lyrics and catchy sound, which inspires both dancing and thinking.
The song "This Generation Ends" by Solar Fake, the harbinger of the album "Don't Push The Button", is an absolute must for every fan of electronic music and the gothic scene. The decision to choose this track as the first single was definitely the right one. The song captivates with a fantastic arrangement and a catchy melody that immediately gets stuck in your head. The rousing chorus stays with you for a long time. I find the dynamic structure and the tonal variety particularly impressive, which makes it extremely danceable. No wonder this track is already a club hit. The slightly disturbing music clip (well worth seeing) and the involvement of well-known music colleagues from the scene make the overall experience perfect. Solar Fake has landed a real hit here.
I’m flying, you’re screaming, trying to stem the bleeding
Just further, without comments, and this generation ends
I’m hollow, you’re leaving, I can’t improve the meaning
Go higher without defence, and this generation ends
Lyrics from "This Generation Ends" by "Solar Fake"
Solid sound and raw synthesiser
The song "You Keep Breathing" is very well produced and leaves nothing to be desired in terms of quality. Unfortunately, however, it lacks the originality that would set it apart from the rest. Despite its mediocre uniqueness, it is a solid contribution to the genre and deserves to be heard.
The song "Nothing's Wrong" starts with a powerful, techno-like aesthetic that immediately invites you to dance. The dirty synthesizer sounds give the track a raw, authentic touch, while the clear melodies stand out. Sven Friedrich's vocals bring a subtle but noticeable aggressiveness and urgency that intensifies the song. All in all, a lively track that has the potential to fill dance floors. A must for all lovers of electronic and gothic music!
Soothing sounds and dynamic highlights
"It's Never Been You" is a pleasant change of pace after the upbeat club track "Nothing's Wrong". The song begins with a quiet intro and relaxing verses, which are infused with a touch of melancholy and strike me right in the heart. The chorus bursts the song's dynamics to the limit and offers a lot of tension and complexity in terms of sound. For my taste, the lyrics could be a little more subtle, but the message is definitely understood without going below the belt. Overall, a strong composition that both calms and electrifies.
And all the things that no longer matter
You just divide into black and white
Loved by the brainless, you’re pretty flattered
I know after all, your dick is too small
Lyrics from "It's Never Been You" by "Solar Fake"
The song "I Won't Let You Go" immediately grabbed me when the intro reminded me of "Under Control" and "Observer" from the brilliant album "Another Manic Episode". This association raised my expectations. The lyrics are probably the most goth-like on the album "Don't Push This Button", as they perfectly combine anger, sadness and powerlessness. For me, this track is one of the most catchy and dynamic on the album. I really hope it will be released as a single with a music video. A strong song that touches you deeply and stays with you.
I’m cold and dead inside,
I don’t want to know what I already know
I can’t stand this stupidity
Yes, I blame you for this hell
Lyrics from "I Won't Let You Go" by "Solar Fake"
Honest reflections and powerful moments
I listened to the song "No Good Time" and was torn. In terms of sound, it is mediocre, which could be intentional, however, to give the strong lyrics room to unfold. And the lyrics are powerful! They address the stress and frustrations of everyday life, especially in dealing with superficial social interactions and meaningless conversations. This topic speaks to me and makes me feel the song intensely. That's exactly why I like it so much. For me, "No Good Time" is an honest reflection of the daily struggle, which I can fully relate to.
The song "Lost", the final track on the album "Don't Push This Button", begins slowly and melancholically, which initially leads one to expect a typical last-song ballad. Thankfully, the typical ballad piano is left out. The first chorus then takes me by surprise in a very positive way: it suddenly builds up like a huge tidal wave and breaks over the listener with tremendous force. This unexpected intensity thrills me and takes the song to a new level. "Lost" manages to combine melancholy moods with powerful moments, and thus remains in the memory for a long time. An impressive conclusion to a strong album.
An impressive work: Solar Fake's "Don't Push This Button!" captures the spirit of the times
Frustration with the political climate, society criticism and social interaction are the main themes of the album "Don't Push This Button". As usual, the album contains many unique Solar Fake hits that will be well received at upcoming gigs. Of course, there are a few mediocre songs here and there, but even the weaker songs are very strong overall. For fans, the album is a must-buy anyway. I also pre-ordered the limited fan box. If cool synthetic sounds paired with warm and understandable lyrics are your cup of tea, then I highly recommend the album "Don't Push This Button".
Track by track rating for: Solar Fake – Don't Push This Button
