Album Review: Belako – Render Me Numb, Trivial Violence

Basque post punk outfit Belako are set to release their brand new album, Render Me Numb, Trivial Violence, on the 23rd February through Primavera Sound‘s in-house label El Segell, like all band’s that are influenced by the unpredictable post punk genre the album features a head twisting mix of influences, including elements of punk, techno, indie, folk and electro that is all delivered alongside a good measure of rock ‘n roll attitude.

Maskenfreiheit opens Render Me Numb, Trivial Violence with a syncoptated beat driven number before Lungs kicks in and takes the album into a dark new wave style, this in turn is replaced by the fuzzy stark Two Faced Simulation. The album continues to spread it wings with Over The Edge, that carries the feel of Joy Division in it’s DNA, and Nice Church that channels dance influences, the album’s centrepiece is the two part track Stumble, with each part possessing a very different character. Render Me Numb, Trivial Violence continues to veer between styles, ranging from dark post punk pop, brief instrumental intermissions and stark dance influenced elements, these sit alongside perfect post punk numbers such as Something To Adore (Arinau) and experimental explorations before the album comes full circle with a reprise of of Maskenfreiheit.

Render Me Numb, Trivial Violence is an album that ties an unprecedented number of influences together through a dark post punk sensibility, the album contains such a diverse range of influences and moments that, like many post punk albums, has moments that are challenging and introduce you to new influences and styles away from the safety of your comfort zone. Amongst the experimental elements that populate the album there are classic moments such as Lungs, Over The Edge and Something To Adore (Arinau) that are classic alternative anthems that will be resident on my playlist, but albums like this are meant to played as a whole and with Render Me Numb, Trivial Violence Belako have released a challenging and diverse album that doesn’t play by the rules.

Render Me Numb, Trivial Violence can be pre-ordered via El Segell Del Primavera here