Dark Minimal Project is a French electro-darkwave band, consisting of Guillaume Vanderosieren (composer, keyboards, vocals) and Ange Vesper (keyboards, pads, vocals).
The encounter with producer Peter Rainman proved decisive for their musical direction and led to the release of their debut album Cold Black Room (2022). Thanks to their club experience, the band quickly established itself as a strong live act, performing in Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands, while steadily building a solid fan base. Their new full album is titled Pleasure Is A Sin. Whether that also applies musically, we are about to find out.
After the first listen, it’s clear that the Lille-based duo remain true to their synthpop/electropop style—exactly what we expect from them. And there’s nothing wrong with that, quite the opposite. This album sounds rawer and darker than their previous work.
Time to lace up the Dr. Martens, New Rocks, and other dance gear: opener Staring Away brings highly danceable, warm synthpop with a tight rhythm and beautiful melody. The vocals have clearly grown in strength and impact. A dose of darkwave with an extra electro layer comes with In My Veins, while Promise Land opens with a powerful intro and strong dark beats.
More energetic synthpop—with an EBM-inspired edge—can be found in Spoke To The Devil. Its driving tempo and irresistible rhythm section make it an instant highlight. After this intensity, Dark Minimal Project offers some breathing space with the more minimalist ballad So Far Away, which grows increasingly ominous toward the end.
Further into the album, we find another gem in This City, followed by Time Runs Out with its nostalgic eighties touch. It’s a fine reminder that electropop rightfully deserves its place within the wave/gothic/electro spectrum.
With this new album, released via Infacted Recordings, Dark Minimal Project solidifies their position. Their accessible blend of electropop and darkwave remains both captivating and danceable.