CC Dust, “New Ways” (Night School (UK/Europe); Mystery Club (US))
The first breath of “New Ways”, b-side of the new single from Olympia’s CC Dust (VEXX’s Maryjane Dunphe and co-conspirator David Jaques), is a chilly one. The duo’s follow-up to the stirring “Never Going to Die” (which we loved) proceeds along a rumbling, Joy Division-y bass line and a detached, whiplash-crack of a drum track – all portent. Maryjane’s Lene Lovich-like croon speaks of waking in a “nuclear spring”, “bizarre fates”, a “crack in the self” – the feel of changes that could be the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel, or the oncoming train.
But then, the track slowly reveals itself to be of a more hopeful disposition, the mood lightening as Jaques’ bassline moves to a higher octave, pastoral synths enter and Dunphe sings of a return to the “old land”. If “Die” was outwardly physical, “New Way” feels turned inward, more ruminative. Chilly, perhaps, but there is space here wherein to to find warmth. It’s an emotional rollercoaster, and I can’t wait to see where the band take us next.
The new single, “Shinkansen No.1/New Ways” is out October 7 in the UK and Europe on Night School. In the US, Mystery? Club offers both a digital and cassette version.
