Let’s go back in time a little and introduce Chromatics! They have long been amongst our favourites but never made it to these pages but this is just about to change.
Chromatics are part of the Italo Disco revival that has seen the emergence of other bands such as Glass Candy, Heartbreak or Telefon Boys. They use this musical genre and put their own twist on it, infused with sad romanticism melodramatic string arrangements and dirty disco beats. Check out their cover of Kate Bush’s monumental “Running Up That Hill”…
Chromatics – Running Up That Hill
Based in Portland, the band is the brainchild of Adam Miller, who teamed up with Johnny Jewel (one half of duo Glass Candy) in 2004 to work on a new record and later recruited vocalist Ruth Radelet in 2006. They released the In The City EP on underground label Italians Do It Better in autumn 2007, closely followed by a fully fledged album, Night Drive, also known as IV.
When Ruth grabs her mic and her breathy vocals come out sad and melancolic, the tone is set. “Mask” is a song you listen to at night, in the car or at home, when you’ve just returned from a club but the night hasn’t really worked out the way you planned. With your clothes in a bundle on the floor, the vague smell of cigarette and sweat, you lie down, push the volume up and the room stands still for 5 minutes while emotions rush to your mind and tears fall down your cheeks.
Show Chromatics some love on MySpace and buy their music on 
2 comments
5 pings
Leo
February 28, 2010 at 1:02 pm (UTC 1)
Great!!!
Thx for introducing this band
Is This Revolutionary?
March 1, 2010 at 2:29 am (UTC 1)
I am loving the kate bush cover!
GLASS CANDY – FEELING WITHOUT TOUCHING (Italo/Disco – US) « umstrum || music
March 31, 2010 at 4:30 pm (UTC 1)
[...] a version of label mates Chromatics pumped up on amphetamines, Glass Candy use and abuse 80s disco pop and synth-rock to produce [...]
DESIRE – IF I CAN’T HOLD YOU (Disco/Electro/LoFi – US) » umstrum||music
December 31, 2010 at 1:17 am (UTC 1)
[...] by Johnny Jewel (already famous amongst Italo Disco circles for his work with Glass Candy and Chromatics) and signed to the Italians Do It Better record [...]
GLASS CANDY – FEELING WITHOUT TOUCHING (Italo/Disco – US)
October 7, 2011 at 9:31 am (UTC 1)
[...] a version of label mates Chromatics pumped up on amphetamines, Glass Candy use and abuse 80s disco pop and synth-rock to produce [...]
CHROMATICS – KILL FOR LOVE (Electro/NuDisco – US)
November 1, 2011 at 9:21 pm (UTC 1)
[...] nu disco outfit Chromatics has a new album on the way, Kill For Love, and it’s set to be released in January 2012 on [...]
VIDEO : CHROMATICS – LADY (Disco/Electro – US)
February 28, 2012 at 10:49 pm (UTC 1)
[...] their Neil Young cover “Into The Black”, revealed a few weeks ago, Portland four-piece Chromatics have unveiled the video for their new track “Lady”, a smooth 80s inspired nu disco [...]