Energy Whores loom like bright flashes of neon against a mono-color storm outside. For some years now, this electronic outfit has made forays into the music industry through an enigmatic, genre-defying signature that exhibits biting social commentary with some of the craftiest productions seen in recent years. Their music longs to be felt, dissected and understood. If you didn't know of Energy Whores before, you've been missing out on a daring act in electronic music. With the release of "Bunker Man," they go even further than usual to show who owns the music scene right now.
It is not merely experimental for the sake of it; there is usually genuine thought underlying it. Each beat, each synth line, and each layered vocal is carefully placed with purpose. Influences run the whole gamut, making it boldly progressive, with a kaleidoscopic blend of the old and new that goes straight to what electronic music should be. The band employs a rather playful approach to constructing music; in fact, they actively seek out the ability to shock or daze the listener when it comes to rigidity within their sound.
"Bunker Man" opens with a pulsating deep bass line that feels alive, writhing and twisting under an ambiance synth pad. The production is ingenious; every note sits in the right place, instantly pulling one into a whole new world. It is as if one has just stepped into a dystopian nightclub, where the beats are entertainingly contagious and the stakes feel dangerously real. The percussion hits quite rapidly and sharply, punctuated with syncopated rhythms that keep you guessing.
Energy Whores here deliver one of their most dynamic performances to date. The lead vocal is exquisitely felt, a cup overflowing with apparatus-drawn harmonies about in the hazy, manipulated vocal effects. This track is a brilliant textbook on dynamics, tension, and release, one with those changes that are fresh and exciting. They utilize dynamics so well here—there are moments where the music is almost sparsely rhythmic, which is contrasting and makes it feel very big. The mix is pristine with everything in its place, all the elements driving the urgency home.
A real anthem at the impending apocalypse, a treat to the ears, yet it does force you to confront some uncomfortable truths. And isn't that what the Energy Whores specialize in? They take the stark realities of the modern world; greed, fear, and absurdity; and turn them into stuff you want to dance to. "Bunker Man" is an experience, a sordid journey deep into the heart of our times, that leaves you exhilarated. Get on your favorite streaming site, stream it, put on your good headphones, and become transported.