It only came out in November, but Former Ghosts‘ debut album Fleurs (Upset the Rhythm) is making a strong bid to become one of my favorite releases of 2009. Led by Freddy Ruppert (of This Song Is A Mess But So Am I), the project is rounded out by Jamie Stewart (of Xiu Xiu) and Nika Roza (of Zola Jesus). The new group’s heartfelt, emotionally wrought vocals and electronic sounds (often melodic, periodically abrasive) may not come as a surprise to fans of any of those bands, but the songs seize the intimate pulse of synthpop and repurpose it toward intensely dark ends.
[audio:http://upsettherhythm.co.uk/formerghosts/UTR035/thebullandtheram.mp3] Former Ghosts – “The Bull And The Ram”Catch Former Ghosts in a solo performance by Freddy Ruppert this Thursday night at Bottom of the Hill (9pm, $10, All Ages). Also performing are Cold Cave and Veil Veil Vanish.
