Review: Defeat – 'You Know What You Are'

DEFEAT
'You Know What You Are'
SELF-RELEASED

It's been two years since the last release from the Hertfordshire-based electro duo Defeat in the form of 'Seek Help', which had been a long time in the making. Recalling the likes of Nitzer Ebb, Front 242 and Front Line Assembly the album's simple but pleasing rhythmically-orientated style was instantly recognisable and undeniably catchy. Fast forward to 2015 and the duo are ready to unleash their anticipated follow-up EP 'You Know What You Are' and cement their place in the UK electronic underground.

The band's old school flavour is once again front and centre, but this time there is a bigger injection of more modern club elements which provides the band with a more well-rounded sound and more dance floor potential. The beats are bigger, the synths are fresher and there are more nods to the modern industrial sound without betraying the core of their formula.

Tracks such as 'Want', 'Twist', 'Resist', and 'Goodbye' really show off the best of the band with their blend of early 90's ebm and modern industrial elements combining to create some great dance tracks. While the likes of 'Attention Seeker' and 'Care For Me' explore a darker but no less catchy sound that draws on their roots but still giving them the modern sheen they deserve.

The remixes courtesy of X-Kin, Ruinizer and Paresis give the tracks even more club potential, especially the daringly punchy re-workings from Ruinizer. But each band brings something different to the mixes that will extend the potential of the originals.

The production on 'You Know What You Are' has come on in leaps and bounds. The songs sound bigger and crisper. The instrumentation sounds decidedly more modern, and the vocals sit within the mix a lot more comfortably than before. They have evidently worked hard to give this album the polish it rightly deserves.

'You Know What You Are' is a big step up in quality from Defeat. The band are reaching their potential and cranking out some great songs that will appeal to the current climate. It will be interesting though to see what curve balls they can throw on future releases to keep evolving their sound on the next full-length outing.  

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