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We are thrilled and immensely proud to be releasing Madd Rod’s second studio album, 'Sad Behaviour'.
Over it's 10 tracks 'Sad Behaviour' is a genre-defying sonic journey. A recurring theme on the album and a trademark of the artist's sound, it blends nostalgia and innovation, crafting a sci-fi soundscape of what could have been the future. The album has already been previewed with 3 singles - A Tiger in the Ballroom, Mantra, and Xiclet which boasted a Re-Imagine from label heads Moullinex & Xinobi, cementing the fact that 'Sad Behaviour' is very much at home on Discotexas.
It’s available digitally and on vinyl.
Full tracklisting:
1. Selva
2. Xiclet (ft. Noporn)
3. Sad Behaviour
4. Mantra (ft. Tomás Branco)
5. Reflexo
6. FYI
7. Mercúrio
8. A Tiger in the Ballroom
9. Puck-Fop
10. Electric Fence
A Guide to Sad Behaviour from Madd Rod himself:
Selva
The intro track departs from the artist’s ethereal past. Long notes and hints of elements from other tracks from the album set up the mood to enter the Sad Behaviour universe. ‘Selva’ departs from an oversampled clock sound, extended and looped to create a reverbed atmosphere. The DX7 plays against a real guitar, as elements slowly come, paced by subtle percussion.
Xiclet
‘Xiclet’ is a collab with Brazilian artists Noporn, born from a blend of tropicalism and goth roots. Heavy synths, deep basslines and even a trumpet merge to set the plot in Copacabana.
Sad Behaviour
The third track is the longest and most likely boldest of the album. ‘Sad Behaviour’ makes use of saturation and distortion to an extent beyond warmth. After a calm and atmospheric start, untamed leads take over the place by storm, culminating in a wild peak for club use.
Mantra
‘Mantra’ is a homage to Synth Pop and the 80s, sung by Madd Rod’s compatriot and university colleague Tomás Branco. The track took 6 years and 18 versions to find its final shape. Initially young and seductive, it morphed into a description of the vocalist’s meditation process, backed up by a synth-heavy euphoric instrumental.
Reflexo
The fifth track closes the A-side with lazy percussion and distorted synths. Echoes and reverbs fill up the spectrum until an unexpected and subtle drop allows room to breathe.
FYI
The B-side starts with a call to the frontline. ‘FYI’ is most likely the grooviest track of the entire album and the closest to being worthy of the term “House”. The track makes use of repetitive patterns and it is early absorbed by an infectiously wild low end that is only tamed by a funky loop. While the rest of the album uses breakdowns to dwelve into a gothverse, here we hear a chicago-ish piano that sets an happy tone.
Mercúrio
The seventh track drinks inspiration from old driving simulators, evoking childhood memories. Fast-paced drums patch up with colliding leads to create an euphoric momentum.
A Tiger in the Ballroom
The reason this was the lead single of the album goes far beyond its cool name. ‘A Tiger in the Ballroom’ embraces the album’s retrofuturism, with vocoded vocals, energetic synths and a classic 707 cowbell.
Puck-Fop
The peak of the B-side is ‘Puck-Fop’ an ironic take where acid techno leans towards contradictory elements. There’s room for acid liquid leads and heavy drums, but also for a punk guitar and Juno leads that stand against the trancelike elements. This dystopia finds peace in a generalized retro treatment, that aligns it with the albumverse.
Electric Fence
The closing track gets its name from the moment of inspiration that came after Madd Rod found a fence was electrified, the hard way, on the way to his studio in Berlin. This (literally) electrifying track closes the album with a thick snare, an introspective moment to breathe, guitars and a rolled synthwork.