Review: Effekt – “The Lost Generation”

The rock group’s debut album “Effekts” is “a ten-song self-healing session, where each song reflects some personal life experiences and problems – how they are dealt with, ignored , forgotten and returning to consciousness, work cited.

Basic information: the group “Effekts” consists of Ernests Hvostovoys, Viesturs Zandersons and Rihards Zeleznevs, album mix – Edvards Broders, masters – Alberts Levits. The album has already been released digitally, but at the end of November it will also be released on vinyl under the auspices of Naba Music / Melo Records, which will also be an event to celebrate the 22nd birthday of “Radio Naba”.

Ten tracks in total, which could be styled as something between indie, “dorkwave”, alternative rock music and who knows what else. “Effekts” is one of, fortunately, not too many examples of how a poorly chosen name can scare off potential listeners – well, what are “Effekts”? ! Overcoming the nausea of ​​choosing a band name suitable only for a dance club or gym, it must be admitted that the music written by the trio is even more interesting. “When we were writing the song “Lost Generation”, we realized that the time has come for “Effekt” to write about the things we have never written before, that is about ourselves, our life experiences, emotions, problems,” says Rihards Zelezniev. “Along with the real themes, the real sound also came quickly – we have transformed from representatives of the genre “synthwave” to “darkwave” and “postpunk”, keeping the elements of electronic music. “

This stylistic diversity, which can be interpreted as confusion, seems to be the biggest disadvantage of “Effekta” – when it seems that the guitars should be “connected” to right, the group intends to go electronic, when you have fallen into theirs. “synthwave”, the musicians suddenly remember that they wanted to play post-punk, “darkness” is thrown where it is not needed, but where it would be appropriate, it is not, etc. etc. Fortunately, everything and in every case is saved by texts that have achieved great success. “I just wanted to be alone, but I’m lonely / I just wanted to be alone, but there’s no one” and “I want to love yourself, but it’s not my taste” (from the song “The Lost Generation”) – scary, but right.

First, let the musicians themselves and their representatives describe the songs on the album. The album opens with the song “It happened recently”, which describes the moment when one realizes that close people are moving away and sooner or later life has to go on. ‘ go without them. This piece starts the theme of the album – it’s time to solve problems! First, it’s time to realize them – change something, give up something, forgive someone, apologize to someone. “Undivided Attention” is about the pain of failed love, and “Half the World Laughs” is about regaining faith in love. At the end of the album, the compositions “Saule” and “Another sleepless night” are a tribute to all the dreams in the world and those who feel lonely.”

The best pieces are, of course, the dark “Lost Generation” in every way, and also the introduction of the album and excellently defines the whole album, “Tas veli nesen”, as well as the “Night God” fatal in its own feelings, but its joy can be captured in larger pieces. It should be assumed that in the “live” concert in “Angār” with a proper sound explosion, this product will “tear the roof off”, but let’s take a look.