ALBUM REVIEW: Heart of Crime – Fotocrime

Hailing from Louisville, Kentucky, comes Ryan Patterson, better known by his stage name FOTOCRIME, with his brand new third studio album, Heart Of Crime. If you’re a fan of punk mixed with a heavy 80s synth sound then this one is definitely for you.

FOTOCRIME kicks off Heart Of Crime with the title track and instantly you get a KRAFTWERK feel. This continues throughout the entire album, but FOTOCRIME makes it his own by adding his signature deep vocals over it. The synths really give you just a taste of what’s in store for you.

Electric Café sees FOTOCRIME being a lot more personal and honest with his lyrics. He sings of an inner struggle, and this is a refreshing change from how a lot of electronic music just focuses on the music rather than the lyrical content. It’s like FOTOCRIME is showing how he is more than just an instrumentalist, and that he can write enticing lyrics as well. So So Low follows this and is again more lyrically focused. It’s a really well constructed song that’s really easy to get on board with and move to. His voice also works so well with the mix of guitar effects he uses on this track which creates a heavy texture to this song.

Crystal Caves has a very THE CURE-esque feel to it and we’re introduced to a female voice. The different vocals bounce off each other and occasionally blend which is a really nice addition to this track as it adds just a little more to it. This also leads directly into the next track Polita, Policia, Poletzei. This one sounds darker and has a much darker feel overall through the lack of lyrics. FOTOCRIME really lets the sound do the bulk of the work in this song, creating a feel of urgency and hopelessness through throbbing synths.

Heavy drums and distorted guitars make up Industry Pig which is a much more rocking track. FOTOCRIME steps away from the synths in this one and relies much more on the drums and guitar which makes a change just when you might think this guy is no more than a one trick pony. It’s a curveball which may make you think that maybe you underestimated him. Learn To Love The Lash again focuses more on the guitar and uses minimal effects as FOTOCRIME sings over it. It has a much lighter and rawer feel to it as opposed to the other tracks on this album.

However, this album isn’t without flaws. Some tracks do feel a little samey, especially when listening to Heart Of Crime from start to finish in one sitting. Also, as FOTOCRIME has really focused on the synths and an 80s sound, it may deter younger listeners who might think it sounds dated.

It’s fair to say that Heart Of Crime is an album out of time but still relevant. It feels as though if BAUHAUS created an electro album this is the closest you would get. This album feels very 80s influenced but also has a lot of electro thrown in for good measure. FOTOCRIME has really outdone himself on this album and has succeeded in making his fans yearn for more.

Rating: 7/10

Heart Of Crime is set for release on August 27th via Profound Lore Records.

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