Artist:	HARSH SYMMETRY
Title:	Imitation
Format:	Regular black Vinyl, limited to 500 copies
Year:	22.09.2023
Label:	Fabrika
Tracklist:	A1 Intro  A2 Glass Tears  A3 Faint Disguise  A4 Make Up Artist  A5 Open Your Heart B1 Scalpel  B2 Crystal Smile  B3 Dressed In White  B4 Imitation
Info:	Imitation or Archetype? Mimicry or Mandela Effect? Harsh Symmetry, the darkwave project of musician Julian Sharwarko, is gearing up to launch its sophomore album titled "Imitation." Recently relocated from Sacramento to Los Angeles, Sharwarko has crafted an album that seamlessly blends the nostalgic elements of influential bands like Depeche Mode, The Cure, and New Order, with the modern sounds of contemporary acts such as Twin Tribes and Boy Harsher. The album title "Imitation" is reflective of Julian Sharwarko's introspective exploration of his own musical identity amidst constant comparisons to these influences. It poses a question about the nature of his work - is Harsh Symmetry an imitation of the past, or an archetype for the future, creating something so familiar yet so new that it feels as if it existed long before its manifestation? Despite these existential questions, "Imitation" is a modern album steeped in nostalgia, entirely recorded and performed by Sharwarko himself. The album features the phenomenal lead single, "Glass Tears," a song that guides listeners through an icy, dystopian realm. Another standout track, "Make Up Artist," presents a fascinating equilibrium, propelling forward with a lively tempo while maintaining a reflective atmosphere. The album also features a cover of Madonna’s "Open Your Heart," reinterpreted through a hauntingly mysterious lens. "Scalpel" stands out with its vibrant metallic bassline and psychedelic aura, while "Crystal Smile" transitions into a dreamy vocal performance atop a distinctly 80s synth pad. The album closes with its formidable title track, "Imitation," a discordant piece that vibrates with an eclectic mix of city-pop elegance and a motorik beat inspired by krautrock.