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Reviews - Isolation

Logo
Not the Joy Division track, Scarlet Soho’s debut proper takes its cues from what happened next. When Ian Curtis died the anoraks took over and insisted that his brand of apocalyptic, autumnal misery was the way of the future; you - and we - know who you are. Christ, the early eighties were miserable. The breath of fresh air came in the shape of electro, specifically the young Depeche Mode and Erasure, two bands who - at that time - wouldn’t be able to find misery if you gave them a map, a torch and both hands to search. ‘Isolation’ is a blast from that futuristic past, and hints that it might be the future again. The template is everything the ‘Mode ever did pre-Violator, while Jim Knights’ voice is a brother to that of Erasure’s Andy Bell. Thankfully, Knights knows what to do with his voice, and with an album on the way expectations are uncommonly high. 3.5 out of 5
-- Cliff Roberts
www.logo-magazine.com

Drowned In Sound
This first single from Scarlet Soho’s upcoming album on Human Recordings sways, winds and weaves its way through exceedingly danceable electro-pop. There’s a one-listen-and-you’re-hooked immediacy to it, and all three songs boast an epic, sweeping quality which fills the room. Underscoring it all, the harsh edge of their drum machine means that Scarlet Soho can have soaring, drawn-out vocals and synths without losing their energy and impact. Although the pulse is slow, it’s something to grind rather than sway along to.

The mechanical instruments and musical polish give 'Isolation' and b-sides 'Tried, Tested and Failed' and 'Useless' a divorced and clinical feel, which makes the emotional impact all the more impressive
-- Holl(i)y Davies
www.drownedingsound.com

Black Velvet
Scarlet Soho the flamboyant trio are producing some of the most original and reveting music in the UK. Openly admitting that Kraftwerk and Depeche Mode have influenced the instantly distinctive SS sound, the title track of this 'Isolation' single puts its sinister synth-FX to Cure-esque vibes. Jim on vocals sounds to have the mournfully captivating spirit of Robert Smith in him.

'Tried, Tested and Failed,' as a b-side is - exactly like the bad itself - thoroughly extraordinary. A spine-thrilling slow waltz, backed by a cool drum loop, Jim's pained yet soul-stirring vox are both ethereal and haunting, this tune sounding to be a sad, sad ode to suicide as an option. To escape.

To stifle such mid-single seriousness, however, 'Useless' ultimately whips the disc into an almightily upbeat, electronics-fuelled orgy of far more vibrant and exhilarating spirits. The band's trademark moody guitar sound is still intact, though Jim suddenly sounds like Simon Le Bon, going so far as to actually sing, surely to everyone's disbelief, 'the future's bright.'

But he is right, so long as the sensational sounds of Scarlet Soho have an integral part to play. 5 out of 5
-- Steve Rudd
www.blackvelvetmagazine.co.uk

Repeat
This first single from Scarlet Soho's upcoming album sways, winds and weaves its way through some exceedingly danceable electro-leaning pop. There's a one-listen-and-you're-hooked immediacy to it, and all three songs boast an epic, sweeping quality which fills the room and makes the air feel dense with sound and musical grandeur. And underscoring it all, the harsh edge of the drum machine means that Scarlet Soho can have soaring, drawn out vocals and synths without losing their musical energy and impact. Although their musical pulse is slow it's a slowness to grind to rather than sway along to, with a feeling of relentless, step by step advance to it. The mechanical instruments and musical polish give Isolation and b-sides Tried, Tested and Failed and Useless a divorced and clinical feel, which makes the emotional impact this single nonetheless provokes all the more impressive. It's an uneasy human reflection bouncing off the cold metallic sheen of programming, thoroughly computer age and with a chilly emotional accuracy which shouldn't, in its coldness, feel as affecting as it does. Provoking a reaction through such sterile method is impressive indeed; at the very least, this freeze-dried electro-pop will make you want to dance. As far as I'm concerned, that is never a bad thing.
-- Holl(i)y
www.repeatfanzine.co.uk

Between Planets, Popex, Indigo Flow
The latest single from Scarlet Soho sees them on fine form yet again. Jim, Lee and Scarlet, as Scarlet Soho, create rock music fused with glitchy electronica and a touch of the eighties. The lead track, 'Isolation', is a great example - Jim's swooping vocals sit alongside the beats, expansive guitars and keyboard sounds that pay homage to the New Romantics. The single also contains the touching torch song 'Tried, Tested and Failed' and a final storming number called 'Useless'.
- Bob Gray
www.betweenplanets.co.uk, www.popex.com, www.indigoflow.co.uk

The Mag
Good things are happening in the world of Scarlet Soho. Not only is their debut album a few months from release but an extensive tour, planned to coincide with the album, is soon to be announced.

Exciting times I'm sure you'll agree but with a summer void of live shows what do you do to fill the gap? Well bang out a little taster of what's to come seems to be a good option and this is just what Scarlet Soho have done.

Paired with two additional tracks ("Tried, Tested & Failed" & "Useless") and the video for the title tune, "Isolation" is the first track to be taken from their much anticipated, forthcoming debut album.


Now it would be easy for the listener, upon hearing Scarlet Soho for the first time, to simply hang a retro-electronica tag on this band and confine them to the ranks of copycat 80's bands. However, while comparisons to the likes of Depeche Mode are obvious (and indeed justified), there is so much more going here then a band paying tribute to a bygone era.

The title track is a good case in point. "Isolation" clearly has its roots firmly entrenched in that retro/futuristic pop sound yet it has managed to look around, realise that the world has moved on 20 years and grow up accordingly. Gone are fluffy light overtones of the likes of the Human League and in are the dark digital undertones of the Goth/Industrial era. While clearly poppy in nature, with a catchy chorus to boot, "Isolation" has a much harder edge its forefathers never had and for this we can only be thankful.


The other two tracks (which apparently won't be included in the upcoming album) are a good indication of the range this band is capable of and hint at the potential quality of their debut long player.

"Tried, Tested & Failed" is a deep 2 minute lament which has all the trappings of a popped up, epic version of N.I.N.'s "Hurt", but is much too short to realise this sort of potential.

"Useless" on the other hand, is a pumped up, industrial power-pop of a tune. The synths wickedly generate a foot tapping dark backdrop while the overdriven guitar adds the welcome punch. However, all of this is simply quality packaging for the soaring vocals, which are delivered with a range and power that renders this track something akin to a digital version of a top-notch Mansun track i.e. it's bloody good!

Combined, all three of these tracks show that Scarlet Soho have successfully managed to extract the good things from the electronic revolution of two decades past and then add their own twist to produce an updated sound, relevant to the current generation. Scarlet Soho's "Isolation" EP also serves as a welcome reminder that all pop is not necessarily pap. The album is justifiably, eagerly awaited.
-- Pete H
www.the-mag.me.uk

Southscene
I’ve always liked Scarlet Soho. The twisted alter-ego of Duran Duran, the modern day equivalent of Depeche Mode (but better) and the band Mansun wish they could have been (maybe!).

‘Isolation’ (nothing to do with Joy Division, although I suspect another influence!) is a fantastic dark pop tune, with enough of an edge to appeal to the alternative crowd as well as the typical music buyer (most people, as much as we hate to admit it!). A ‘cool’ lyric, great dynamics and a SUPERB production make this tune a potential hit. This band are serious about what they do.
Included on the CD is the video for the track. Very impressive and despite the odd bit of cheese, is very well executed and worth watching for the bass player alone! (Am I allowed to say that?).

The next track ‘Tried, Tested and Failed’ is a rare thing indeed on the local scene. It is a ballad and a damn good one at that too. Front man Jim has a fantastic voice and it is also good to hear him without quite so much vocal distortion covering his voice. This track segues directly into the last track, another great slice of mid-tempo alternative keyboard pop.

Altogether, Scarlet Soho are yet another great local band that makes me wonder in despair at why Southampton is not seen as the cutting edge music scene of alternative music that it so should be!
-- Mike Spall
www.southscene.net

Vanity Project
Well known on their native South Coast and in fanzine land, Scarlet Soho offer considered electro-pop encircled by a translucent vapour of gothic darkness. The Depeche Mode influence is evident on ‘Isolation’, the chorus exciting and anthemic, with Jim Knight’s voice appearing to be twinned with that of Bis’ Sci-Fi Steve. Elsewhere the ballad ‘Tried, Tested And Failed’ is less successful, while ‘Useless’ has the burnished power of ‘Angel Dust’ era Faith No More. Not quite filling their immense potential yet, but the forthcoming LP may well be the acid test.
-- Skif
www.vanityproject.co.uk

God Is In The TV
This is a stunning EP, perhaps the best thing I've heard this year, from the first bleeping notes of the single "Isolation" with its desolate lyrics, that soar above a bed of robot dancing beats, you realise that this EP, is a defining moment for Scarlet Soho. The Soho sound comes on like Mansun, clashing with the sound of eighties electronica referencing everyone from the keyboards and beat boxes of Kraftwerk to the melancholic melodies of an early period New Order.The song builds up a to glorious chorus line of "Isolation splendid Isolation!" and its quite simply brilliant.

B-side "Tried tested and Failed" is a melancholic ballad reminiscent of Bends era Radiohead in its beauty. Jim Soho's voice sounds at its most stunning, his poised sad eyed croon floats above beats that stutter, and a piano signature so sad it could break your heart. This is a song that not only knows pain but knows how to wallow in it sample lyric: " No wind in my sails / blood on my nails / Tried tested and failed." Final track "Useless" buzzes with an antagonistic sneer again effectively mixing electronic sound and clashing guitars in a more up-tempo number. Scarlet Soho are my new electro soundtrack, embrace them before they skyrocket to the stars. 4 out of 5
-- Bill Cummings
www.god-isinthetv.tk

Reviews

• Modern Radio
• Divisions Of Decency
• Isolation
• Live