Genre: Industrial / Synth Pop / IDM

It is a rare thing for me to get deeply involved in an industrial dance album given my musical taste yet VNV Nation has been captivating my attention since their new full length album Matter + Form arrived in the mail. Having formed in 1990 VNV Nation has been gathering listeners and momentum for nearly 15 years now. During this long run the band has topped music charts across Europe and established themselves as a mainstay on dance floors and in clubs of many shades. VNV Nation's recipe for success lies within their ability to merge emotive song writing with complex yet digestible danceable industrial music. The result is music that moves the body while simultaneously pulling the listener into a very emotional narrative that heaves with humanity and vulnerability.

Matter + Form is VNV Nation's fifth full length album and it sees the band breaking a previously achieved plateau as the music and lyricism has matured into a seamless blend of pulsing electronics and personalized and poetical lyricism. Having bought a previous release by VNV Nation released in 1999 titled “Empires” I have to admit that I was not smitten with the band during this time of their recording history. “Empires” was far too simple and similar to a whole slew of IBM / IDM music coming out during this period. Matter + Form has convinced me of the VNV Nation's maturity and now VNV Nation has become a dependable selection in my music collection.

After a brief instrumental introduction Matter + Form launches with the introductory track “Chrome.” “Chrome” begins with wavering, tense synths before launching into a hard hitting explosion of nostalgic dance rhythms. Though the music has a particualry IDM retro feeling this does not stand in the way of the music being effective and engaging. The music is purely electronic and instantly catches the listener in a vortex of boot stomping drum machine beats. The male vocalist joins the fray with clear and distinct vocals that drive the music and the narrative. The lyrics reflect the title as the lead vocalists sings from a personal perspective about frustrations and disappointments that are essentially existential. Themes of freedom, repression, and loss of vision and hope echoes throughout the song. The illusion of a Chrome sheen of the soul is alluded to as well. The vocals are masculine and direct yet an authentic sense of vulnerability adds an element to VNV Nation that really sets the music above many other IDM bands.

Track four titled “Colours of Rain” heralds in a much softer side of VNV Nation. Completely devoid of lyrics “Colours of Rain” is a neoclassical composition filled with reflective piano and sweet string arrangements. The song communicates a sense of remembrance colored by regret or sadness. The dance oriented beats of previous songs are abandoned for a drum set that sputters out minimal rhythmic accompaniment. The fact that VNV Nation even attempts a soft serenade of neoclassical music is in and of itself a testament to the bands musical skill and innovation. “Colours of Rain” fits in perfectly amidst the other dance oriented songs as it is beaded along the same emotive string as its fellow songs.

Song six titled “Inceptor” illustrates yet another face of VNV Nation as the band hits the listener with an innovative and complex IDM song that is once again devoid of vocals. The neoclassical musings of “Colours of Rain” are abandoned in favor of progressive trance beats and artful electronic manipulations. “Inceptor” seems to have one goal and that is to make you move your ass and set your spirits free. In the tradition of truly effective trance and techno “Inceptor” lifts you out of your body and turns your mind inside out with intricate rhythmic structures and intelligent turns in the music.

The seventh song titled “Entropy” is the peak of the mountain as VNV Nation opens the emotional flood gates. The song starts with timid electronics and hesitant beats that back the lead vocalists ever pressing lyrics. The music builds with a sense of restraint before opening up with massive beats that pound at the listener's emotional defenses. The lyrics and vocals move from saddened reflections to unabated anger and frustration. The music keeps pace moving through emotions seamlessly and supporting the narrative of the vocalist. Themes of emotional collapse, anger at God for taking sides, and ultimate abandonment are communicated across a wide spectrum of music that is driving and angst filled while retaining the perfect balance of electronic psychedelia. The song peaks with the vocalist growling “When does enough become enough when does no have meaning?” Entropy is definitely one of the most effective songs on the album and it is destined to become a club favorite.

Track nine titled “Homeward” sees VNV Nation merging the sentimentalism of previous instrumental tracks with the vocalist's skill. Warm waves of electronic drones are accented by synth chords while the vocalist delivers a powerful and elevated song that strikes straight into the heart. The emotion is hard to convey in words but the effect is nothing short of brilliant. Vocals and electronic music merge in a ballad bleeding with emotion and vulnerability. One is left thinking how effective the vocalist communicates the complexities of human emotion, particualry male emotion.

Track ten titled “Perpetual” continues the journey with another progressive IDM music song that begins slowly before elevating the listener once more to dizzying heights of electronic induced euphoria. Once again trance and techno beats are merged with industrial sensibilities in an injection of IDM that is certain to please even the most demanding fans. VNV Nation defies expectation with compositional talent that exceeds even the very best club DJ's. Who needs to go out when you can bring the party home?

The album ends with the eleventh track titled “Perpetual.” “Perpetual” feels rather like an invitation to stay engaged and see what is to come rather than a definitive goodbye. VNV Nation again merges driving danceable beats with strong emotive electronic elements in a mêlée of inspiring music. Notable is the addition of electronic guitar that grants the song a slight edge over its predecessors. The vocalist once again delivers a stunning performance at once making the listener want to cry and give in and simultaneously injecting a sense of hope and regeneration. With so many conflicting emotions being communicated by the music and vocals one has to simply abandon themselves to feeling all of the music at once.

VNV Nation Matter + Form is some of the best and most effective dance music I have ever heard. Having perfected their craft VNV Nation deserves the recognition they have worked for. I definitively rank their music amongst the best artists currently working in the IDM / EBM genre. If you are looking for something that moves your body as well as your mind and emotions then definitely catch up with these guys. Don't wait to hear select tracks at the clubs. Get your own copy and embark on the full journey as VNV Nation intended!