Dark Patterns’ latest track “Dislocation” is a captivating blend of drum and bass beats, twinkling synths, and layered vocal interplay. The song begins with drums that skip around the beat, creating a dynamic groove reminiscent of classic drum and bass. Synths twinkle over this groove, while question-and-answer vocals echo and delay, adding to the song’s complexity. Gentle guitar arpeggios enter the mix, enriching the texture before the vocal chorus takes center stage, later giving way to a more synth-driven groove that propels the track forward. The result is a contemporary piece that nods to old-school influences.
Lyrically, “Dislocation” ventures into themes of social hierarchy, undeserved deference, and the modern struggle against chaos and incompetence. The song’s curious dive into cloudy breakbeat synthpunk offers a thoughtful reflection on these issues, making it not only musically engaging but also intellectually stimulating.
Dark Patterns are an experimental post-punk/electronica trio known for their genre-fluid singles under their Wrongfoot Records imprint. The trio consists of Matthew Potter (vocals, bass, ukulele), Jonas Duus (drums, synths, vocals), and Kora Yeoman (guitars, vocals, synths, bass). Their journey began in 2012 with the self-titled EP from London-based shoegazers Trim the Barber. After moving to Berlin in 2013 and forming Astral Tide, they released the ‘How Far, Are You Out There?’ EP in 2016. A pivotal moment came in 2017 when they recorded a drum and bass rendition of Wire’s “In Manchester” for TBTCI Records’ ‘Single K.O. Wire Revisited’ album. This cover served as the catalyst for the formation of Dark Patterns, leading to their distinct sound that blends post-punk, electronica, and synthpunk elements.
