Exploded View is a multinational trio comprised of UK-born, Berlin-based political-journalist-turned-musician Annika Henderson (vocals, synth) and Mexican producers Martin Thulin (drums, guitar) and Hugo Quezada (bass, synth). Henderson has previously recorded krautrock-influenced solo work under the moniker Anika. While retaining some of these sonic sensibilities, Exploded View adopts a far more avant-garde approach. Their second album Obey is cut from a similar cloth as its predecessor, with vocalist Anika Henderson helming a series of psychedelic, buzzing, rhythmic synth-punk dirges that often build up from a central groove.

Like: Priests, Iceage, Preoccupations, Sneaks, The KVB

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Play: 1, 4, 6, 9

1.Lullaby (2:12) Sorrowful melodies with a dystopian characteristic.
2.Open Road (4:19) A bubbling synth effect ushers in a fairly conventional song structure.
3.Dark Stains (3:25) Militaristic electronic beats and stuttering arpeggiated synths.
4.Gone Tomorrow (5:03) Haunting synthwave track.
5.Obey (5:29) Swirl of synths slowly gives way to letting other hooks punch through the noise.
6.Sleepers (3:49) Shoegaze experiment, adrift in blazing synths and fuzz guitar.
7.Letting Go of Childhood Dreams (2:41) Pleasant and airy moody slow-burner.
8.Raven Raven (3:32) Gritty bass throb driving ominous synth noise and electrified chimes.
9.Come On Honey (2:52) This track is just sheer fury without a constraint.
10.Rant (4:45) Aptitude of awakening a mellow feeling with simple and direct melodies.