Girls Gang LP by Dina Summer

Berlin-based synth-wave band Dina Summer returns with their highly anticipated second album, "Girls Gang," out in January 2025 via Iptamenos Discos. Donning a decadent sound described by Resident Advisor as "dark disco meets EBM," Dina Summer is a collaborative project formed by electro-punk band Frittenbude member Kalipo and dark-disco DJ and producer duo Local Suicide.

Their previous work includes the critically acclaimed 2022 album "Rimini," which offers a nostalgic dive into retro disco vibes, along with the 2021 EP "Who Am I" and 2024 EP "Hide & Seek." They also contributed to Curses' "Next Wave Acid Punx" compilation, participated in Purple Mag x radio's "2070" project, and performed at Reeperbahn Festival's prestigious "Collide Session.".

The new album is a versatile collection of 11 tracks that delve into themes such as empowerment ("No More Tears" & "Girls Gang"), outsiderhood ("Alien" & "Zombie"), impermanence ("Promise Me"), nostalgia ("Halkidiki"), and relationships ("Nothing To Hide" & "Hypnotized"). While their debut album was characterized by its club-centric sound, drawing from Italo disco and '90s electro influences, this new release explores a richer palette of new wave, post-punk, and synth-pop.

The sophomore long-player is more song-oriented, often featuring real bass and guitar. It showcases a more vocal-driven performance by frontwoman Dina, who incorporates more singing alongside her trademark spoken words. Yet, it retains the same catchy melodies Dina Summer is known for, offering both indie pop hymns and a few undeniable club anthems.

On the seductive synth wave drama "Girls Gang" - the album's title track - Dina draws you in through breathy whispers, calling on goth icons such as Morticia Addams, Lydia Deetz, Siouxsie Sioux, and Elvira. Meanwhile, a booming kick, snare, and an unwavering bassline work harmoniously to elicit a feeling of bold, self-assured confidence dressed in black. Silky smooth background vocals add a touch of elegance and allure, completing the picture.

"Schall & Rauch" has a powerful nostalgic yearning for what was and what could have been. The lyrics are emotionally charged, representing the celestial beauty and destructive power that love can have. The fast-paced beat, expressive melody, and harmonies bring intense energy and induce a euphoric yet melancholic sensation.

"Nothing to Hide" is a passionate dance between EBM, synth-pop, and dark wave. It sonically emulates the magnetism of lost lovers vibrationally and inescapably drawn to one another - a shy lover's tumble through time and space. The track resonates perfectly with the gothic romanticism found in the cinematic masterpiece "Only Lovers Left Alive" and creates a surreal space where love transcends lifetimes as it weaves through electronic soundscapes. At the heart, the song is a tribute to vulnerability in love and taps into an emotional intensity that is dark, electric, and undeniably intimate. Dina's sultry vocals express this profound connection while blissfully layered synths and guitar reverb enmeshed with techno-disco beats induce a sense of urgency and amorous destiny intertwined. Lyrics like "heart open wide, nothing to hide" speak of the raw, exposed nature embraced in genuine connection. At the same time, sonically, the multi-layered elements capture the delicate balance between surrender and strength.

"Alien" sees Dina Summer delve further into minimal wave territory, stripping back a synth-driven dancefloor arrangement to emphasize its pulsating bassline and otherworldly vocals. The track draws inspiration from electronic music pioneers such as Kraftwerk and captures a range of retro-futuristic sounds - indicative of how this artist moves flexibly between the past and the future. Exploring the idea of "other" through an extraterrestrial narrative, the song is a tribute to outsiders and "freaks" and serves as a metaphor for acceptance, openness, and communication.

The album intensifies with "Promise Me," a collaboration with Curses, one of the most prominent voices of the dark electronic scene. His distinctive and enigmatic post-punk vocals bring a desperately romantic tone, shrouding listeners in an everlasting and all-encompassing passion. Curses are accompanied by multi-instrumentalist Joshua Murphy (Crime & The City Solution), who seamlessly integrates a layer of guitar lines that gently sew the track together.

"Halkidiki" is the perfect track for sun-drenched days and sultry nights. It offers a masterful journey through the epic soundscapes of the 80s, evoking a time when synths ruled the dance floors and the summer nights felt idyllic and carefree while adding a modern twist. As the track unfolds, listeners are transported to Halkidiki, the picturesque beach destination near Thessaloniki in northern Greece, where sun-drenched shores and crystal-clear azure waters create a backdrop of pure bliss. With synths chiming like moonlight on the water, "Halkidiki" sweeps you up in a wave of irresistible nostalgia - a kaleidoscope of sound capturing the essence of endless summer nights.

"Hypnotized" is a laidback poppy tune that radiates sunny, summery energy - at parts reminding of the more disco-ish tunes from the trio's debut album "Rimini" and wouldn't sound out of place on a best of the 80's compilation record. It explores the complexities of truth and deceit within relationships and emotional power play, emitting a feeling of danger and dark, tremulous waters while giving a joyous anticipation for the good times ahead.

"Zombie" is a track that will draw you out of the crypt, compelling you to shed your old skin, re-emerge, and reanimate your limbs on the dance floor. The song encapsulates a melancholic yearning for kindred spirits amid an existence of perpetual solitude. With its eerie yet emotive undertones, "Zombie" channels a feeling of vulnerability and disconnection and seeks to humanize the monster within us all. Dina's haunting vocals will encourage you to confront your inner solitude and submit to movement and sound as you're guided through the fog to find your friends on the dancefloor.

With "Disco Goth," Dina brings back the bold gothic glamour in a vivacious club banger. Rallying all creatures drawn to the smoke and shadow, Dina implores them to slick on their liner, don leather and lace, and follow their queen into the twilight-lit night.

"FOMO" is a dancefloor anthem featuring a relentless, pulsating bassline and fast-paced drums that establish constant movement and urgency in the track. It guides you to the dancefloor and prevents you from standing still. "FOMO" (Fear Of Missing Out) represents the overwhelming desire to enjoy the night, embrace freedom, and indulge in life's pleasures and offerings.

"No More Tears" is positively charged with empowering energy and optimism, serving as an anthem for resilience in the face of hardships. It is about finding your inner strength and confidence and casting aside the negative influences in your life. A rich, vibrant melody and energetic percussion provide an invigorating and revitalizing sensation, giving you the energy to break through your barriers.

Since the band's formation five years ago, Dina Summer has taken their acclaimed live show to European venues and festivals. Around the album release in January, the trio will embark on a European tour, with more details to be revealed in due course.

Dina Summer - Girls Gang LP
Release Date 24th January 2025
Label Iptamenos Discos

Tracklist
1. Girls Gang
2. Schall & Rauch
3. Nothing To Hide
4. Alien
5. Halkidiki
6. Promise Me feat. Curses & Joshua Murphy
7. Hypnotized
8. Zombie
9. Disco Goth
10. FOMO
11. No More Tears