One of the most popular acts on the Macedonian alternative scene, “Bernays Propaganda”, which I already introduced to the readers, released their new album this spring. It’s called “Politika” (Politics), and it is their fourth studio album, released in several countries through different indie labels. With the music from this release “Bernays Propaganda” took a huge step away from their well-known guitar driven sound and steady but solid rhythm section. The album leans toward the new wave sound of the eighties, completely excluding the bass and drums, replacing them with a rhythm machine. The guitars also sound more relaxed, and besides few riffs like that on “I dvete”, they don’t determine the overall soundscape. The new material recalls the sound of New Order and other new-wave artists from the early 80s, as well as the sounds of German indietronica in the vein of The Notwist (a band that underwent a similar sound transformation with their album “Neon Golden”). Although they changed their sound, one characteristic remained from the previous albums - the lyrics, which are as fierce as ever, and in their own words “uncompromisingly commenting on the modern way of living and position of each individual in the contemporary madness called democracy.”
The band had a huge promotion of “Politika” in their hometown of Skopje with three sold out concerts. That was also the start of their two-month European tour, which brought “Bernays Propaganda” and their new music to more than 30 cities across the Old Continent. You can download the album through their Bandcamp page, for free or you can pay if you like. You can also read the lyrics there, both in Macedonian and translated to English.
