Escapist Partisans

Musically, as well as lyrically, Stars in Coma's seventh album Escapist Partisans is a strikingly introspective project. People who are already familiar with André’s music know that his sense for melody never dwindles – few songwriters are as talented when it comes to composing dark hooks in the key of minor (take a listen to ”Subtraction Exercises” for example) – but on this album, the atmospheric soundscapes, the impulsive chord sequences, and the sharp twists and turns are explored at an even deeper level than ever before. It’s like stepping aboard a meandering tour of the protagonist’s subliminal house of mirrors, in which a new, oftentimes distorted, reflection of the mind appears behind every corner. Daniel Örtegren’s strong saxophone efforts, such as in "Ten Years", create associations to the musical theme of Taxi Driver, during which the audience follows Travis Bickle’s slow mental demise against the backdrop of a New York City in atrophy. "I do not know what I'm writing about, but it seems to be about my selfish struggle," Andre laments in "The Victorian Sinkhole." It's about irrepressible inner voices, a narcissistic game that more often than not escalates into claustrophobia inside the subject’s head. As we approach the last track on the album, "Chalet Saudade", there’s a sudden turn, however: "I woke up to a harsh reality, not to all those stories you told me a long time ago." An awakening from the mental chaos takes place, as our hero’s gaze suddenly turns away from the psychotic – towards a society that can no longer be ignored. -Moonport Recordings