The Danceable Dark Side of Romance

History has shown that most of the enduring dance music has also been fairly dark. New Order, Depeche Mode, Kraftwerk, and Human League have evidenced this throughout their careers. She Wants Revenge unleashes a self-titled debut album that understands and takes pride in that fact. With a sound that recalls a combination of Bauhaus and New Order, She Wants Revenge is a dark, haunting journey through the mental states of relationships that is thoroughly beautiful.Opening with a strutting beat, one can feel darkness envelop them as the synthesizers slide into the mix on “Red Flags and Long Nights,” a track about the nervousness of meeting people in lyrics like “You can occupy mind/As long as the cost is not too high.” This begins a journey through the psychology of relationships, though not necessarily through a narrative. She Wants Revenge exhibits detailed knowledge of this territory as they visit themes of insecurity on “These Things,” fear of commitment on “I Don’t Want to Fall In Love”, and rush of a new romance in “Out of Control.” All of these themes are surrounded by beautiful gloom-and-doom synthesizers and irresistible grooves that will get any broken-hearted romantic dancing. A well-executed change in mood comes in the form of a piano playing in the rain on “Disconnect.” This interlude works as a ray of light peering through storm clouds only to make way for the darkest suite of songs that close the album.

She Wants Revenge is a debut album of skill and knowledge done by great musicians. Its conceptual structure perfectly matches the dark, near-macabre sounds and romantic psychology. This is a combo for a remarkable dance album.