VR Sex enter the fold with their on the nose name and and array of talent within, made up of up of Noel Skum (Andrew Clinco of Drab Majesty), Z. Oro (Aaron Montaigne of Antioch Arrow/Heroin/DBC) on vocals and drums, and Mico Frost (Brian Tarney) on synths and electric bass. With Drab Majesty’s Modern Mirror being one of the finest post-punk and synthwave efforts in recent years, it becomes quick to set expectations high for VR Sex’s debut record, Rough Dimension.
Diving into the record, it quickly becomes an irritable and infectious listen. By the time it hits second track “Glutton For Love“, the guitar riffs on the verses capture the ear and quickly become the highlight. Later on in “Crisis Stage” the plucked guitars carry the entire song with it’s daunting drum grooves backing them, it becomes a testament to how well well this unit can write the sound at hand. For fans who have explored each respective members projects, there’s also a feeling of a nice blend of what each have to offer.
There’s an underlying angst to the record that gives it an extra punch, with the vocal performance and the rawness of the backing instrumentals delivering this. It offers up that usurping mood that many of its respective influences in punk and underground synth had in their hayday. As the snares smashes in closing track “Snake Water“, it’s difficult not to envision oneself passionately singing along to these songs in a neon-lit venue. While at times the record can strike at the same themes and songwriting, the record provides a much needed quality to the synth punk scene.
With this release, VR Sex will quickly become a regular listen to fans of synth and punk inspired music. Bringing this sound into 2022 in such a well done manner is a small gift for those following the respective genres, with the bold and brazen nature of the LP making it an inspired listen. Hopefully it will present a resurgence for a genre that has maybe spent the last few years in the shadows, as this VR Sex full length shows that there is still plenty to offer.
8/10
Rough Dimensions is out this Friday via Dais Records, and can be pre-ordered here.