Kevin Bronson on September 28th, 2011

0

The New Division’s debut album “Shadows” (out this week) has its share of dark places, some more menacing than others, and all of which fly the black flags planted long ago by the likes of Depeche Mode, Kraftwerk and Gary Numan. The Riverside quartet of John Kunkel, Michael Janz, Brock Woolsey and Mark Michalski arrived early this year, wearing their influences on their sleeves on “The Rookie” EP, but for their full-length they have spread their wings, incorporating a vast array of synth textures and programmed beats to support Kunkel’s deliberate vocals and angst-filled lyrics. You might wince at the referential gall of titling a song “Shallow Play” until it twinkles you into submission; “Munich” and “Violent” are ready for any electro mixtape, in this decade or the ’80s; and the eight-minute “Memento” is nothing if not a credit to the New Division’s youthful ambition. And what to make of director Justin Sevakis’ video for “True Lies?” Stay current on those student loan payments, kids.

||| Live: The New Division celebrates the release of “Shadows” at the Hip Kitty in Claremont on Thursday. They also play Oct. 5 at the Central SAPC in Santa Monica.