There is obscurity and there is wilful obscurity. For without the press release, I wouldn’t have had much chance of finding out who Hospital Neon actually were. So, for the record, they are now formally identified as Athanassios Vavaroutas and the redoubtable Predrag Nedic (of PNDC).
I have to admit that I was somewhat surprised that Predrag Nedic was involved here as these four songs seem far removed from his usual organically layered approach to ambient electronic music. It is still all about urban atmosphere but the music here is stripped out to leave space for the laconic and bone dry vocals of Mr Vavaroutas. There is a crumbling elegance to “Here In Heaven We Are” that suggests the kind of decadence that Lou Reed brought to his music while “Rants” shows the kind of relentless drive into the downbeat that you would expect of a German prog rock band. You’re probably getting the picture here by now. Look elsewhere for big happy smiles for this is almost punishingly melancholic.
Who knows but if Eli Roth is looking for a soundtrack to his next movie then he might well start by knocking at Hospital Neon’s door.