The modern world, not to mention current politics, demonstrates all too clearly that popularism, celebrity, and cults of personality are dangerous concepts. The ability for one person to hold another under some sort of charismatic spell never ends well—apologists, enablers, henchmen, fanatics—they are all created this way.
This debut single from Manchester’s Red Light Factory looks at the darker side of that already dark phenomenon. As the title suggests, it is to the fascination with criminals and cult leaders that they turn their spotlight, looking at how they are promoted, perhaps even created by the media, vilified by many, but idolized by some, and today an increasingly dangerous force in these dark and entrenched times.
The music matches these brooding and volatile thoughts, a brilliantly gnashing post-punk sound for the post-genre generation. There is a great groove running through the heart of the song, and on top of this, they hang wild, abrasive, low-slung guitars and chiming interludes, and vocals that blend strident punch with flippant woo-hoos.
The song has something 90s rock about it but also something 80s indie, and the result is a new blend of fire and fury, muscle, and melody for the current age.
Debut singles have a heavy burden to bear; you never get a second chance to make a good first impression, as they say. Well, as first impressions go, this is flippin’ awesome.
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