Schwarz — [Svarts] CD

Band: Schwarz 
Title:  [Svarts]
Label: Hummus Records
Format: Full-Length Album, CD, Clear Slip Sleeve
Release Date: 2014
Country: Switzerland
Genre / Style: Experimental, Ethereal, EBM, Dark Electro, Dark Pop
Streaming Link: Bandcamp

* Price excludes postage and handling fee.

Remarks: No cover sleeve. Only clear slip sleeve available. 
Originally, gatefold cardsleeve, back sleeve, and spine show only "Svarts"; artist Schwarz is identified only inside the sleeve.

Dark pop project from Switzerland. Existed from 2013 to 2017. In 2020, resurrected with a different lineup and in 2021 changed name to Svarts. Schwarz consists of the electropop duo Monpetitponey, Romain Siegenthaler and Antoine Kauffmann, and singer Danaé Leitenbeg (Projekt Virgile Crelier). For live performance, the band gets supported by guitarist Jonathan Nido (The Ocean, Cilguns, The Fawn) and bassist Donatien Thiévent (Méga Lâcher de Ballons), who later became the band members. 

Svarts is the self-titled debut album by Swiss band Svarts (previously known as Schwarz), released on November 3, 2014, through Hummus Records. This album introduces listeners to the band's distinctive blend of pop-rock and electronica, creating an atmospheric and introspective soundscape.

The album opens with "Intronaut," an instrumental track that sets a contemplative tone, described as taking the listener on a "weightless stroll through an attractive and blurry galaxy." Throughout the album, Svarts explores a "crepuscular musical universe," where pop-rock elements intertwine with electronic textures, probing the inexpressible and delving into shallow obscurity. The music gains altitude to dive into intimacy, offering a journey that is both adventurous and emotionally resonant.

Recorded and mixed by Julien Fehlmann at Studio Mécanique in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, and mastered by Svante Forsbäck at Chartmakers in Helsinki, Finland, the album benefits from a polished production that enhances its intricate arrangements. The artwork by Gilles Lepore complements the album's ethereal and introspective themes.

Listeners have praised the album for its "lovely coldwave & dark pop glitter," highlighting tracks like "Cracks and Dust" for their captivating melodies and well-crafted instrumentation. The vocals are noted for their mastery, anchoring the music and adding depth to the overall experience.

Svarts stands as a compelling debut that invites listeners into a nuanced and emotionally rich sonic landscape, marking the band's entry into the realm of atmospheric pop and electronica.