Colder
Again

00:40 AM, I'm lying on the couch, unable to sleep.
I tune into MTV and watch in disgust the end of the latest Christina Aguilera video (the one where she wears a pink hat with "Lady" written on it, to be precise) just when I'm about to turn off the TV and attempt once more the embrace of Morpheus, I'm struck by the white screen and a low, sinister electronic sound, another video begins.
The bass and electronic drum attack literally make me jump up like a spring and turn up (as much as possible) the volume. Animation, black and white, a man is running, constantly changing direction as if trapped inside a building, pursued by someone unknown. The claustrophobic effect is enhanced by a warm and aseptic voice.
The reference to Joy Division is immediate; indeed, "Crazy Love" seems to be a tribute to this band, and the man in the video is said to be Ian Curtis himself.

The next day I try to find out more and discover that Colder's debut album (that is, Parisian Marc Nguyen Tan) where I will find this track is "Again," and of course, I purchase it. Moreover, along with the CD, there's a bonus DVD with 6 videos, including the aforementioned one.

Again is a great album, a beautiful fusion of pop, dub, and electronic, the influences definitely to be sought, as already mentioned, among Joy Division, New Order, and Kraftwerk.
Unfortunately, not the whole CD lives up to the promise of the first two singles released; "Crazy Love" and "Shiny Star" are indeed the highest and most captivating moments of the entire album. As for the rest, we find ourselves in front of electronic ballads enriched by dull and insistent rhythms like "One Night In Tokyo," "Confusion," and "Silicone Sexy," where the voice, always maintaining the same tone, permeates the atmosphere with a strong darkness.

An interesting debut album, in short, despite having throughout the album a strong impression of "déjà vu."