Dresscode doesn't specify how you should dress. Probably because the trio from Namur is welcoming: come as you are to discover their third EP, Under the Surface, and its mix of electro-rock-synthpop-industrial-new wave... In short, a whole bunch of words that mainly evoke a melancholic mood and references ranging from Depeche Mode to Interpol, via the most pop-oriented sorrows of Nine Inch Nails.
Under the Surface begins with a nice sadness. The band clarifies what the EP's title suggests: we are faced with introspection, a “deep exploration beneath the visible layer of humanity.” The downbeat tone of Hide Away immediately immerses us. We appreciate the emotionally charged vocals, the roughness that ignites the synthesizers, but also the density and intensity. Beneath the surface, we sense powerful currents and storms ready to explode. Dresscode is restrained but not snobbishly minimalist: it expresses its pain with conviction when the time comes.
Flirting with industrial rock without ever fully embracing its harshness, Dresscode maintains a biting elegance. Very quickly, the Belgians get us dancing. Melancholy, yes, introspection, fine, but not without stirring things up. Under the Surface isn't just about contemplating buried things, it's also a collection full of potential anthems and energy. Lazy and Follow Me pick up the pace and stick in our heads, not forgetting a few dark moments along the way that contrast with the catchy choruses.
Dresscode navigates in a gray area. They have found the formula for catchy, seductive music while infusing it with soul and depth that keeps the listener engaged. It is when they oscillate between light and shadow, in a bittersweet twilight, that we like them best. If you were planning on dancing at a funeral, we recommend Get Rid of Fears. If you need a little courage, then you'll probably find some soothing sweetness in the torments of The Flame. Well-crafted pop with sharp rock edges, embracing its entertaining potential while being filled with the personality of its authors, something that is sometimes sunny but not afraid of its darker sides—that's Under the Surface. Come dressed however you want, but be prepared to wiggle!
