Colder stays true to their band name on AGAIN, their debut for the consistently underrated Output label. A combination of chilly 80s synth-pop with some surprising elements (like dub on “One Night in Tokyo”), AGAIN shows us that ten years just aren’t enough for a good decade. Luckily, Colder draws from some of the better influences: “Crazy Love” has the sadness that permeates some of New Order’s early tracks. But the predominant mood is one of disaffection; a “we’re too cool to have emotions” feel. “Shiny Star” is slightly peppier, but still retains that glossy sheen; “Version” is a sound collage that helps break the mold of what’s come before. “Silicone Sexy” has an atavistic groove to it that loses a bit of the rawness when the non-sexy vocals come in. But the closing tracks, “This River” and “Colder” manage to inject a bit more feeling into their veins. While Colder certainly has the chill part down, maybe next time, they can warm up a little.

Again from Colder will be very much appreciated by all who were into 80’s goth rock and EBM since a lot of inspiration seems to come from that era: same drums and darkened guitar work as say Bauhaus, environmental Art of Noise intervals, Anne Clark’s sec drumcomputers, all beefed up with early electro, dub and always exhaling that same slightly gloomy mood.
If you never were into that era you will definitely appreciate the album very much too and then it’ll play hard to catch, probably making it even more of a discovery.