VNV Nation have released their latest studio creation and the huge devout following they enjoy has waited patiently for over two years for this work. Utopian Station has published our thoughts and impressions... this not a review... not at all!

If you want a review of this album then all I can say is “Go buy it! Listen to it and love it!” As a long time fan of VNV Nation I can not be objective enough to give a “review”. Not that most reviewers actually maintain any amount of objectivity but I can give you my thoughts on hearing an album I have anxiously been waiting for. Was I disappointed? Nope, but it does appear that creatively they are at a crossroads and this release demonstrates that they have not yet committed to a direction. The evolution that was so apparent in their last release “Futureperfect” is evident but they seem to also want to keep the sound they nurtured in their groundbreaking “Empires” CD. There are a lot of varying moods in this new collection that move you but some just take you back. This maybe the reason for the name “Matter + Form”, the previous releases had a theme where this feels more like an experiment in structure. The song writing seems less interested in reacting to the world with its many cruelties and instead tries to instil a sense of wonder in the listener. They are not telling you to close your eyes and pretend the world is a perfect place but to stand and face it carrying the momentum of change in your daily life. The vocals are not as aggressive or mechanical as they have been which only emphasizes that these songs are about humanity and not the systems that affect them. Enough of my waxing philosophic! Here is a breakdown of my reactions to hearing these songs for the first time. These may change over time after listening to it another few hundred times but then familiarity does not really make for a good read.

INTRO: This is a lovely short instrumental piece that seems to embody foreshadowing that really never comes to be.

CHROME: Upon first hearing this I cringed! I have since decided that I really enjoy the song but sense that this is not the song to win over those who do not appreciate electronic music. This is the true foreshadowing of what to expect from this album! There is a stripped down, almost minimalist, treatment of the instrumentation. It is a driving song meant to be played loud but you better have good quality speakers or the subtle layers will be lost.

ARENA: The end result of what would have happened if “New Wave” had been left to grow in its purest form! Get out the drum kit and play along with this! Shame it’s only 5 minutes long… I want my good ole fashion 10 minute long 12” mix please.

COLOURS OF RAIN: This is a very sombre low key instrumental that makes you want to go stand out in the rain in Prague or Romania. The only complaint I have is that this track really is the odd one out in this collection. I have the sense that Ronan would really like to do a fully instrumental collection. Not the “here is my 18 minute salute to Philip Glass” kinda thing but a more “take my hand and let me walk you through 70 minutes of moods that bleed into each other”. I would be more than willing to go on that kinda trip and I think the fans of VNV would as well, as long as you give them plenty of warning about what to expect.

STRATA: This instrumental is pure 50’s sci-fi crazy alien groove!

INTERCEPTOR: I hate to say that this is the weakest track of the bunch. They have done this kind of driving dance instrumental way better on earlier CDs. It’s a bit like going back to the early 90’s when industrial dance decayed into a mutant form of trance. A perfect example of this is Test Dept’s “Totality” but TD did it much better, when you are in the right mood for it. I am not saying it’s a bad song; it just makes me wish they had incorporated samples or had committed it to be more aggressive. It tries to move you but just leaves me standing still.

ENTROPY: Good old fashioned driving aggression or is it more of a pulsating kind of thing? Actually it turns out to be both but the more minimalist electronic sound does not really do the song justice. I am not saying that grinding KMFDM guitars are needed but the layers of synth and maybe sampling is missing. Actually, a remix of this done by KMFDM would be very interesting!

ENDLESS SKIES: You have to play this right after listening to “Airships” from their last album and try to tell me that this is not the sequel to one of VNV’s most lilting songs. The journey to self discovery continues and is proof that VNV are really just a bunch of softies!

HOMEWARD: A great example of how they can blur the lines between genres. This could be considered a classic synth-pop song. Please try to keep the hate mail down to a minimum please!

LIGHTWAVE: Classic VNV instrumental dance and although enjoyable it does not hold up as well with such distinguished company. The message and mood of this CD got a little watered down with these familiar tracks that had a place in earlier releases but VNV is growing beyond that sound now. I’m telling you Ronan just do the instrumental collection, you will be glad you did!

PERPETUAL: This song really does showcase the direction of VNV… There are still a couple of toes dangling in the past but they are stepping forward! There is a balance of intent, aggression, rhythm and always a message. This kind of song really suits Ronan’s vocal style… “let there always be never ending light!”

Don't forget to check out samples from the album.

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