Matte Blvck channel Depeche Mode on “Midnight & Angel”

“Midnight & Angel” has a hypnotizing sound reminiscent of Songs of Faith and Devotion.

Matte Blvck

Dark synth trio Matte Blvck has returned with an enticing new single called “Midnight & Angel.” It’s their first new song since releasing their debut album two years ago.

“Midnight & Angel” opens with electronic patter that suggests the complex percussion of Swedish duo The Knife. Yet it quickly evolves into a sinister, mid-tempo nocturne that reveals the band’s biggest influence—Depeche Mode at its ’90s zenith. The vocal melodies bear a strong resemble to “Walking in My Shoes,” “In Your Room,” and other tracks from Songs of Faith and Devotion, DM’s final album featuring musician Alan Wilder.

Matte Blvck wear their Depeche Mode influence proud. In 2020, they covered Black Celebration’s “Stripped,” which appears on their debut.

Who is Matte Blvck?

Matte Blvck is an emerging artist steadily building a fanbase in the dark music scene. Next month, they are set to embark on a North American tour supporting the beloved German act Solar Fake.

The trio from San Diego, California is comprised of Alex Gonzales, Bidi Cobra, and Daniel Corrales. Prior to forming the band, they worked as “supporting musicians” for other acts, including Julien-k, The New Division, and Moving Units.

In 2020, they emerged on the scene with their first single, a fiery track called “Pure” that I included on my list of the best songs of the year. At the time, they were using a traditional spelling of their name, Matte Black, which was unfortunately taken by several other bands. A search-friendly spelling change and their debut album I’m Waving, Not Drowning followed at the end of 2020.

Earlier this year, Matte Blvck released a collection of remixes from I’m Waving, Not Drowning. “Midnight & Angel” is their first new song in two years, though they have yet to announce if it will appear on a forthcoming sophomore album.

You can find “Midnight & Angel” on Bandcamp and Spotify.

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