When dark wave switches to Overdrive
Like a neon light on a dystopian night, ‘Shift to Overdrive’ by "It Burns" breaks through the darkness and makes me sit up immediately. The Czech duo delivers an impressive genre mix here, which captivates me from the first beat.
What particularly fascinates me is the clever fusion of dark wave and synth pop with elements of coldwave and post-punk. It Burns think far beyond the boundaries of their genre, creating a sound that is both fresh and familiar. The lively beat invites you to dance, while the dystopian mood creates a fascinating tension. Somehow it sounds like ‘Our Darkness’ by Anne Clark on cocaine!
The vocals are a double-edged sword for me. At some points, I find the effects almost too extreme. I would have liked them to be a bit more subtle in order to convey the emotions even more directly. Nevertheless, they fit perfectly with the dark atmosphere of the song.
What really inspires me is the catchiness of the lyrics. They are so catchy and concise that I find myself singing along after just a short time. Lines like "Shotgun, baby / Her name is Death" paint vivid pictures of a decaying world that perfectly match the musical mood.
For me, ‘Shift to Overdrive’ is an impressive example of what modern electronic music can sound like when it crosses boundaries.
Listen to "It Burns – Shift to Overdrive" on Spotify
Listen to "It Burns – Shift to Overdrive" on Bandcamp
Lyrics of "It Burns – Shift to Overdrive"
3:33
Unholy trinity
Moon runs red
Radio goes dead
Wanna feel alive
Shift to overdrive
Memories erratic
Hearing voices in the static
Cold neon signs
Illuminate decline
Transmission whines
I’m seeking the divine
Cigarette embers
Don’t need to remember
Fingers trace my lips
Treading blacktop abyss
Can’t stay within
The yellow lines
Heart attack
And cherry wine
The crypts are close
So hold your breath
Shotgun, baby
Her name is Death
Wheels turning
Desires burning
Mirrors discerning
Blackened yearning
