Do you feel different, a little outside the mainstream, comfortably settled in your own little bubble? If you read our blog regularly, there’s a good chance that’s the case. But even the most die-hard nonconformists sometimes feel like shaking their booty. Luckily, the Swiss duo BLACKBOOK, with their synthpop that’s as elegant as it is irresistibly danceable, has found the perfect formula to get you moving without ever sacrificing that air of mystery and intrigue that defines you.
Since 2020, the group has been crafting a retro-tinged universe, drawing equally from the aesthetics of the ’80s and ’90s, while infusing it with a modernity firmly rooted in the present. Different is already their third album—a release pace that might raise concerns about creative burnout over time—and yet, that’s far from the case. On the contrary, BLACKBOOK demonstrates a remarkable ability to reinvent its formula, exploring a variety of soundscapes without ever losing sight of the album’s overall coherence. This neon-drenched synthpop, which frequently flirts with synthwave, blends nostalgia and futurism in a remarkable way. Like another famous electronic music duo, the band members hide their identities behind masks. All we know is that they’ve already proven themselves in several well-known bands. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter: only the music counts, and in that regard, the duo never disappoints.
The formula is as simple as it is effective: short tracks—three minutes on average—that stick in your head right away, built around catchy melodies and unifying vocals. The whole thing works just as well as the soundtrack to a party as it does on the dance floor. Some tracks, like Suffer In Silence, I Am Not a Robot, or Eternal Glory, could quickly become dancefloor staples… at least in a parallel universe where goths have taken over the clubs. The messages conveyed by the various tracks are meant to be positive and celebrate difference, described here as a true strength. Nobody Loves You (Like I Do), Unlovable (Thank You For Hating), and Stay Strange are all anthems that invite us to accept ourselves as we are rather than trying to conform to others’ expectations. Technophobia and Addicted also address, respectively, our relationship with technology and dependence on others—two dynamics from which the duo encourages us to break free so we can better reclaim our own freedom.
It goes without saying that Different lives up to its name: an album that celebrates those who don’t fit into boxes and turns difference into a strength. On this album, BLACKBOOK delivers unifying synth-pop—at once retro and resolutely modern—where danceable melodies go hand in hand with a genuine invitation to accept yourself as you are. A triumph that proves you can stay true to your artistic vision while still getting the dance floors moving.
