The east coast project Mortal Prophets ignites the summer with their latest offering ‘New Breed’.
What do you first think of when you hear the words New York City? Empire State Building? Statue of Liberty? The Rockefeller Centre, perhaps? That’s to name just a few things. And where to begin with music! I don’t know about you, but my mind goes straight to those east coast rap legends like Nas, Tupac and JAY-Z, not to mention NYC’s indie stalwarts like The Strokes and Sonic Youth. You get the idea; The City of Dreams has been the beating heart of music and culture for decades. And in years to come, when someone mentions New York, I think Mortal Prophets will spring to mind in an instant, at least if their latest single ‘New Breed’ is anything to go off!
New York’s Mortal Prophets (led by their captain and talisman John Beckmann) have been forging their own unique blend of rock, electronica and just about every other genre since 2022. The word “unique” is used a lot in reviews – I know – as I sit here typing I feel like I’m scraping the barrel – but that’s an apt way to describe this genre-defying project. To be more precise, Mortal Prophets are like the ugly relative of Depeche Mode – and I mean that in the best way possible.
‘New Breed’ starts with alluring synths, bubbling drums and abstract ambience. There’s also this unrelenting bassline, which is so low and muddy in the mix that it feels intoxicating. As for Beckman’s vocals? I mean, wow. They hang over the track like an ominous cloud. In a half-chant, half-yelp style, Beckmann’s melodies transport you to his apocalyptic world (whatever and wherever that is). After my 10th listen, I still can’t fully make out the lyrics, and I couldn’t even sing the melody back to you, but I’m fully entranced. It’s a trip.
This intoxicating soundscape is adorned with whispers, glitching effects and haunting croons. The pillars of influence appear to be Depeche Mode, Metronomy, Brian Eno and Neu! But the moment I feel like I should give myself a pat on the back for pinning this song down, ‘New Breed’ morphs and moulds itself into an entirely new sonic abstraction.
‘New Breed’ arrives as a preview of Mortal Prophet’s highly anticipated album, ‘The Confessions of a Sword Swallower’, set to drop this autumn. I for one couldn’t be more excited. ‘New Breed’ is a dark and delicious plummet into Mortal Prophet’s world. It’s a world I urge you to be part of. This is an exceptional listen.
Listen to Mortal Prophet’s single, ‘New Breed’, below:
