Richard BodinOnce in a while, an album comes up out of nowhere and gets me by surprise. Somebody recently recommended an album that just came out from a German band I had never heard of before. Without much expectation I started playing it and I was hooked. Agatha is Dead! delivers an excellent debut with Concrete…
The band formed in the long winter of 2021 in the middle of a pandemic. Two friends, Lily Bartholomew-Günther and irishman Noah Oisín, O’Donoghue started experimenting, exploring influences ranging from Joy Division or The Cure to Fontaine D.C. They were soon joined by drummer Joey Ramone Hansen who brought an incisive grunge flare, and by bassist Arthur Melzow. Quickly they built a strong reputation within the underground scene in Berlin. Today, they touring around Germany and Europe.
A promising opening
The album opens slowly with a few low notes played on echoey guitars, with an ethereal synth wave backdrop. Somehow it is reminiscent of the opening theme for Twin Peaks. It slowly builds up in intensity before exploding into the fuzzy guitars and nervous rhythm of “Referential Excess”. Already Lily Bartholomew-Gunther‘s voice impresses. It is deep and powerful. While the drums maintain the nervous pace all along, the guitars sometimes quiet down leaving room for pulsating synths before coming back fuzzier.
The song segues seamlessly into the title track. “Concrete” is one of these songs that just click perfectly. Built on a slow pace with a steady drumbeat and deep bassline, the guitar gently strums on the verses before burning with intensity on the chorus and delivering a wailing solo over the bridge. The lyrics, about what looks like some toxic relationship peak with the chorus saying: “How pitiful, I’ll smash your head right open against the concrete wall. How pitiful, I’ll smash my head right open against the concrete wall.” The melody and the delivery make for perfect ear worm.
After such an overwhelming slow burn post-punk gem, “Kind Regards” comes in strongly. It contrasts straight away with a much different energy. This time we enter a more alternative rock territory with a rapid fire of guitars, steady drums and fuzzy bassline. Guitarist Noah O’Donoghue shares lead vocals with Lily this time, and together this makes for an excellent anthemic hit.
Post-Punk Meets Alt Rock
Agatha Is Dead! delivers a strong opening here for their debut album. From there they definitely had all my attention. The rest of the album is just as strong. They manage to blend the dark and cold beauty of post-punk textures with a more alternative rock energy.
“Cold Hearted” leans further into the band’s darker side. With SCHRAMM featuring on vocals, its deep bassline, hazy synths and flanger-heavy guitar create an almost gothic atmosphere. The song gradually builds from its restrained opening towards a much heavier climax, showing just how comfortable the band are with tension and release.
“Bedtime” takes that darkness somewhere more emotional. The gloomy bass and sharply cracking drums give Lily plenty of space to move between a restrained lower register and soaring vocals. Her voice is becoming one of the album’s defining elements: powerful without needing to constantly dominate the music.
But Agatha Is Dead! are equally convincing when they simply let rip. “You Wanna Be Loved” comes charging out of the gates with pounding drums and rapid guitar strumming before building towards another huge chorus and a soaring guitar solo. It is exactly the sort of song that hint at promising climactic moments on stage.
A Debut to Remember
Agatha is Dead! is definitely a force to be reckoned with in the future musical landscape. Concrete is an impressively assured debut. Even though the band clearly wear their influences on their sleeves, they bring something fresh and energetic. They take the atmosphere and tension of post-punk and give it the punch, hooks and energy of alternative rock. A perfect combination.
One thing is certain: Concrete has already found its way into my rotation, and I suspect it will be staying there for a while. Definitely one of the best debut of the year.
