Crossover

After electroclash devoured and defamed the careers of most parties involved, Crossover were one of the few acts who managed to get out alive with their dignity in tact. For members Vani and Dez, music making isn’t simply an ’80s electro and synth pop homage; it’s an experimental escapade. Like a kid in a candy shop, the duo pick and choose their favourite sub-genres by the handful, integrating everything from ’60s psychedelia and Krautrock to classic hip-hop, goth and punk into one big melting pot. The scope on Cryptic and Dire, their sophomore album, is uncompressible, with their influences flowing freely, scattered from track to track. "Disgrace Chateau” may kick things off in full electro-pop garb, but "Messages” uncovers a seedier and sinister side to their dabbling that re-emerges on "Psychic Babies,” where Vani fronts a top-notch Bauhaus cover band with the jitters. "Wilde Chylde,” on the other hand, burns with a drop of vintage acid and a nice nod to Afrika Bambaataa. It’s the slow burning Jan Hammer-esque "I Know Your Face” that is most effective, however, decelerating the pace and leaving the listener disorientated and spellbound for the album’s finale.