From Łódź in Poland, the electronic duo Marcin Regucki and Paweł Strzelec calling themselves Alles, with their Now (ZOHARUM ZOHAR 334-2) album…I find they’ve been active since 2014 mostly appearing on other labels, such as Mecanica, Antena Krzyku and False Flag, and this may be the first time we’ve heard their take on minimal electro-pop.
This one doesn’t exhibit the outright gloomy, pessimistic or violent themes which we sometimes get from this label, but apparently there’s a very critical edge to their lyrics – yes, these are all songs in the Depeche Mode style, but pared down to the sternum with a sharp knife and sung in Polish with an accusatory glare audible in the tone of their disaffected voices. If I’m reading the blurb correctly, these two idealists spare nothing and no-one in their contemporary surroundings, ever-ready to point out systemic failures or lapses in ethical conduct. This is no doubt the message conveyed by the image of the broken mirror on the cover, suspended in near-blackness and held by the hands of an anonymous accuser. In no uncertain terms, this image is addressed directly to us in the audience and demanding that we account for ourselves.
I’m sure we’d all like more politicians, world leaders, tech bros and media moguls to step up to the whiteboard of Truth, but in today’s world where obfuscation, denial and lies are part of everyday discourse, there’s small chance of it. All power to Alles for holding up their beacon of honesty, making their idealistic stance with passion and conviction. (09/01/2025)