Table of Content
The half as long "Mirrorgirl" is much more abrasive and piercing as well as engaging. The soundscape of this track is very dense and packed with a cornucopia of sounds similar to that of a Death Grips track. I really love how short, sweet, and crazy it is. "Maybe This World Is Another Planets Hell?" is the polar opposite of what came before, being one of the quietest and sparsest songs yet. Unlike "Bliss and Stupidity," this song utilizes the space in between sounds really well. It's less claustrophobic and works really well as a breather track.
Additionally, the production differs noticeably from song to song, and has a few flaws. Despite these negatives though, the SOUND of this album is unlike anything else that exists right now. The melodies and chords are SO catchy, and when the experimental production does pay off, it yields revolutionary results. I think for some of the songs, they could have just not used autotune/modulation. Also, on tracks like Beautiful Friendship and Sharp Halo, they have these screamo moments where the vocals get distorted and it just doesn't gel with me.
Tracks list Black Dresses album Peaceful As Hell
The extravagent production and sad lyrics simply spice up really well-crafted songs. I hadn't heard any Black Dresses before this but I can easily call myself an avid fan after listening to this one album - I will be checking their previous work, even if it's apparently not as accesible as this album is. Black Dresses's previous three albums focused pretty consistently on trauma in both personal and political contexts, feeling like statements that the group absolutely needed to deliver. In comparison, Peaceful as Hell feels like it's given a bit more room to be playful in its approach.
Its just rock and roll, it's not that serious. Worthless praying keep the music playing can you keep on singing with me as the hours stretch on so evil? I know its not that easy can u stay alive if u can? "Left Arm of Life" is an alienating opener complete with an icy atmosphere, warbled and distorted vocals, and dejected lyrics.
BEAUTIFUL FRIENDSHIP
It's not an enormous departure from their established aesthetic, but I appreciate the shift to a more maximalist production style. These songs feel incredibly labored over, filled with details that only reveal themselves after several listens, but still maintain the sense of intimacy that has been a great source of the duo's appeal. These tensions play into several tracks that focus on the production and utility of music.
There is a lot of pain, like the music is bursting a manic panic episode, but there is a lot of genuine peaceful, contentful moments as well, which balance the album and keep it feeling natural. The duo announced via Twitter on May 26, 2020, that Black Dresses would be disbanding, citing the harassment received by McCallion as the reason. The band's music was also temporarily taken off streaming services. On 10 July 2020, after the duo disbanded, a remix of 100 Gecs song, "745 Sticky", was released on the remix album 1000 Gecs and the Tree of Clues. On 21 December 2020, the duo released a single with ESPer99 titled "World Peace", recorded in 2019.
2019: Wasteisolation, Thank You, and Love and Affection for Stupid Little Bitches
It was preceded by the lead single of the album "Creep U" which was released on April 7. The album was the duo's last album before their announced disbandment in May 2020 due to harassment of the band following their unexpected success on platforms such as TikTok. Despite this, they released a follow-up record, Forever in Your Heart, the following year. I will say that some of my favorites are DAMAGE SUPPRESSOR , MiRRORGiRL (a Thank You-esque blast of unfiltered synth punk), BLISS AND STUPIDITY , SHARP HALO (one of the only songs that's ever actually scared me at all), and CREEP U . (namedrops!) it would've been pretty easy for Peaceful as Hell's structure to get out of hand and for it to collapse in on itself a bit or at least fall somewhat flat, especially with how distinct so many of its songs are, but in the end it really does work beautifully.
It has an aura of controlled chaos to it, from the use of distorted synths and compressed beats to the intentionally haphazard vocal layering. On songs such as Angel Hair and Bliss and Stupidity, especially, I would argue the sound design is the best element to Peaceful as Hell. Wonderful textures and dreamy melodies set to a lite-industrial machine rhythm and it ends in an ambient drone. Parts of this were pretty annoying, and the style of music doesn't really vibe with me.
Track listing
I guess that's the crux of this album, combining these harsher elements with more pop-ish ones and a huge dose of emotional vulnerability. It's interesting and a fairly satisfying listen, but I don't love it. Actually, at times I found it annoying and wearying.
Additionally, the vocals when they aren't processed are an acquired taste, which I have mostly acquired but perhaps not across a 45 minute album. The Canadian noise-pop duo’s music conjures a psychotic slumber party, or a Second Life rave, but remains grounded in the bittersweet beauty of lifelong friendship. "Peaceful As Hell" is Black Dresses' final project and is a fun and aggressive mix of glitch pop and industrial rock. But it's so fucking irritating to listen to. One day, I could love it, the next I'll hate it. In addition to all this instrumental madness, it is also worth noting the magnificent texts, which, despite their simplicity, do the lion’s share of the work on the formation of the release as such.
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