New Music: EM_LEN – Half Past Midnight

San Diego, California based electronic musician EM_LEN previews his upcoming fourth album with the moody tones of Half Past Midnight.

EM_LEN cites Depeche Mode circa Some Great Reward – coincidentally that band’s fourth album as well – as an influence on the track, and you can hear that filter through in some of the lighter textures of the synths.

The British band took from the Berlin club and S&M scenes of the late 80s, with hard beats, and lyrics that were personal; often focused on relationships and desire. Similarly, Half Past Midnight, which is the first single from the album, exists in the shadows of the night, with the lyrics hinting at body horror and desire as a trap, a delayed reward. Brooding electronic pop with an industrial heart, more in tune with dark wave and cold wave than industrial pop, it signals the as-yet-untitled album will offer up some delights of a very particular sort for us.  

You can pick up Half Past Midnight in digital format on Bandcamp, and it’s also streaming on Spotify. For album and artist updates, follow EM_LEN on Instagram or TikTok.