Embracism

Embracism

Australia's Kirin J. Callinan has elicited comparisons to his homeland's greatest underground star, Nick Cave. Callinan's fearless intensity dips its toes into random dissonance ("Way II War"), which comes and goes as naturally as the songs ebb and flow. His music has a chameleon aspect, moving from electro-industrial sounds through synth-pop weirdness and foreboding ambient nastiness. Various tracks recall David Bowie ("Halo"), Iggy Pop ("Landslide"), Scott Walker ("Embracism"), and Depeche Mode ("Victoria M."). Such big names might seem a bit much for an artist with just a debut album, but this former Mercy Arms guitarist doesn't let up through any of these 10 songs. He's got attitude aplenty, from crossdressing to playing with silly showbiz tropes. But from the extended meditation of "Chardonnay Sean" to the twitchy "Stretch It Out," he sounds as poised as a long-term professional and as inspired as a young man who still believes he can change the world.

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