Art d’Ecco - “I’ll Never Give You Up”

SXSW 2020 - OEB Score: 7; Popularity Index: 6 

Pairs Well With…New Order, Thompson Twins, Flock of Seagulls

Art d’Ecco plays what we’d like to call “industrial art rock,” but apparently, Google does not think that is a thing yet. There are elements synth-pop, new wave, psych-pop, and glam-rock wrapped up in what alternately sounds like a nostalgic 80’s dance party or the hung-over recriminations in the aftermath of a night at Studio 54 in minor keys. To our ear, the stand-out track on their diverse album Trespasser is “I’ll Never Give You Up,” with its steady drum machine beat, alternating plinking and echoing synths lines, and a somewhat mindless but catchy 80’s-esque’s chorus – “There’s something about you, when I’m around you”. “Never Tell” is also strong, featuring stuttering, tense vocals and synth lines with a terrific saxophone solo and a piano interlude at different points in the song. Also, on the darker side is “Nobody’s Home” which has echoes of New Order. “Joy” is more in the dreamy art-rock pocket bringing backed (mixed) memories of the Southbye flash-in-the-pan band Foxygen. Better is “Mary” which while still having an art rock core, builds in strings with a throbbing rhythm and guitar lines. Finally, on the electro-rocker, “Last in Line”, Art d’Ecco gets around to asking my initial question: “Is this a thing?” OEB’s answer is a definite yes, although putting a label on this creative band may be more elusive, unless I use some quarantine time to craft a Wiki entry for “industrial art rock.” (David Zlotnick)