ALBUM REVIEW: DIM – Colored Moth

There aren’t many propositions in modern alternative music quite like COLORED MOTH. The German three piece are an example of modern musical fragmentation, a band that sit so far outside the comforts of rock – that you can’t quite tell whether it’s genius or ludicrous. You get the sense the trio are incredibly self aware of their sonic jarring, and they’re the kind of band that you can see niche audiences pining over.

New record DIM further accentuates the bands eccentric noise rock persona. It’s the kind of album that leaves an unusual taste in the mouth – a foreboding sense that what you’ve just experienced isn’t yet the apex of the trio’s flamboyancy, which, when you consider  COLORED MOTH oppose almost all conventions on their journey through DIM, their future could be a harrowing soundscape. Where tracks like Maelstrom strike as your standard affair of oddly twisted, industrial noise – Cognitive Bias changes the ante by throwing obscure Indie tones into the mix.

Regardless of the genre the trio are pursuing at the time though, DIM is one of the most unpredictable listens you will stumble across this year. Even in the moments where the record fails to land with any authority, such as on the drab Der Blinde Urmacher or the clumsily written whataboutism, this is still an effort that always strikes from left field.

Even with all their unique flickers of ingenuity at hand, though, it’s difficult to figure out exactly who this album is for. While large portions of the album flirt with the upright pace of punk rock, such as the one minute sucker punch that is The Social Darwinist Program, this is never sustained long enough for DIM to have a rhythmic pattern to call its own. In fairness this avoidance of finding a blueprint at times works in the band’s favour – but you can’t help but spend most of the record longing for a hook that never shows its face.

COLORED MOTH aren’t here to spin tracks that could spread to the masses though. They’re a band that find comfort in their separation from the norm, and with DIM they have a creative output that is undoubtedly difficult to get to grips with – but those that do could potentially find the bands eerie nature a revelation.

Spend enough time with DIM and you’re certain to find aspects of charm in its outlandish demeanour, which is both the albums greatest pro, and largest con. Outside of the audience that the band have already crafted, it’s difficult to imagine the fan base that COLORED MOTH could be targeted here – maybe that’s the whole point. At the very least, DIM is a musical journey unlike most you’ll have experienced prior.

Rating: 6/10

DIM is set for release August 30th via Wolves And Vibrancy Records. 

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