On their fifth collection of pulse-pounding EBM- and industrial-influenced dance anthems, Blaqk Audio throw a sunset beach party for goths and misfits on Beneath the Black Palms. Continuing their evolution just a year after their previous album, 2019's Only Things We Love, the pair of Davey Havok and Jade Puget dig deeper into their shimmering neon sides, toning down the robotic menace of past work in favor of a calmer, more sensual beauty, as heard on tracks like "1948" and "Fish Bite." Nonetheless, fans of their hard-hitting material are still serviced by the thrusting industrial-meets-Euro-dance "Consort" and the stylish stomp of standout track "Hiss." Elsewhere, the duo draw on their love of Bauhaus and early Depeche Mode with "A Distant Light," "Tired Eyes," and "It's Not Going Well," balancing heartfelt yearning with desperate longing. Additional '80s touches are heard on the dramatic synth-washed "Bird Sister" and "I'm Coming Over," a showcase for Havok's lyricism and vocal range. As an outlet for their punk-leaning day jobs with AFI, Havok and Puget continue to outdo themselves with each successive album. As they hone their sound and fully embrace the aesthetic of this project, Blaqk Audio provide a welcome shelter for fans who desire more vulnerability, sexiness, and style with their angst and heartache. ~ Neil Z. Yeung, Rovi

1		Consort
2		Zipper Don't Work
3		1948
4		A Distant Light
5		Hiss
6		Burnt Babies Fear the Fire
7		Fish Bite
8		Bird Sister
9		I'm Coming Over
10		Tired Eyes
11		It's Not Going Well

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