How great is this record? Right from the opening track, which is also called “Crna Ruža”, we’re treated to a blend of techno and industrial, a dark, gothic soundscape full of woe and dread. If Edgar Allan Poe could have conceived of this kind of music, well, it probably would have disturbed him even more than his own demons and visions, but he might have also found the sonic soundtrack to his written works.
I know I’m not supposed to write things like, “artist X reminds me of artist Y,” but sometimes you can’t help it. Like when a vocalist sounds so much like Ian Curtis that it starts to mess with your mind, which is the case here. Musically Crna Ruža is distinctive from the post punk stylings of Joy Division, if for no other reason than the music is electronic and not dependent on a band. But it has a certain feel, like a dark, cold, and wet night, not necessarily full of despair but more… what? Perhaps despondency. There’s a certain, if not acceptance, than at least ambivalence in the mood, not fully leaning into the darkness, but not letting it overwhelm you either. Maybe a kind of resignation. This is what we’re facing, so best get on with it. At least we can have some beats while we’re doing it, and a voice that gets us.
Some nights you’re looking for music to pull you out of your mood, something to lift you up and take you to another place. Other nights you want to feel the mood wrap around you like a heavy blanket, even if it’s a bit on the dark side. Crna Ruža is for the latter kind of night, when you’re out of fucks left to give. Nights like tonight…