Straight from Chicago, Clubdrugs drops their new record, LOVESICK - a sonic metamorphosis that places visceral humanity inside a digital-dream. Self-produced by Maria Reichstadt (vocals, synths, bass) and John Regan (vocals, synths, guitar, drums), the goth-pop duo bridges their jarring sensuality of 80s electronica with their collective love for new wave and post-punk.
Releasing on Artoffact Records, LOVESICK is an 8-track romantic epic that explores themes such as love, loss, and loneliness. The duo uses their transparent compositions to reflect their message as their haunting arpeggiations, enormous drums, and a holy voice establishes raw honesty.
Delicately opening their enchanting doors with a soft sequence in “Bloodfeast,” the duo begin their sonic painting with sharp synthetic colors as the memorable verse-words of Reichstadt, “Don’t know where to go,” transcend through the speakers. The menacing tones fill the room with anxiety as Clubdrugs capitalizes on the magic between their sonic-opposition of beauty and discomfort.
Swinging from ominous slowtrotters, the duo evenly sets sinister upbeat tracks like “Still Down,” and “Pretty (Anna’s Song)” to create natural energy. Reinforcing 80s motifs, the weight of the 909 kick drum delineates the melancholic catharsis as the speed produces equilibrium.
Their hit single, “Overdose,” proved to be a nostalgic anthem that innocently touched on the pain of growing up. Regan said, “I was trying to evoke the sadness I felt in the guitar, trying to tell a story about the dramatic and agonizing pain of being young and losing your first love. A different kind of overdose.” His clear words of embracing suffering equally depicts a sense of empowerment that further propels a fearless approach in his songwriting.
Every track is then broadened with the tension of visceral heartache of Reichstadt’s seraphic voice. She matches Regan’s instrumental energy with her intimacy as she demonstrates her form of personal vindication. Especially noticed in tracks like “Fear,” and track, "Disappear," her ability to channel her sentiments inside the harmonious dissonance generates a gentle kindness within the gorgeous chaos.
LOVESICK is music for the lonely club kids at goth-night. Their interpersonal world establishes a raw bond that pulls out the inner-romantic inside of you as the catalog of tracks help embrace your vulnerability. They remind us that even though you feel alone in a room full of people, you are not the only one thinking about it. Therefore, Clubdrugs create purpose with the help of sound.