Adam Usi (from Augsburg / South of Germany) is practically part of the „inventory“ of YOUNG & COLD RECORDS. He was there from the beginning and released several records and tapes, making a good name for himself with a small but fine fan base through this and occasional live performances. Far too long, six years after the 2018 work „In Plastique Bloom“, the new record „Censored Self-Harm“ is finally being released.

Musically, the tried and tested mix of New Wave and Synthpop in the style of the 80s remains, but sounds much more mature. You could also just call it Wave-Pop, here and there with a bit of New Romantic atmosphere, characterized by the fresh, natural singing. “Malaise”, for example, is a real catchy tune, “2 10” brings to mind the very early Depeche Mode and “Farce”, which was released on tape in 2021, could almost have come from the second or third Soft Cell-album, at least as far as the vocal melody is concerned. “Woke Up Unlucky” not only shows a slightly different side of ADAM USI in the title, it is also much more wavy musically. From time to time it gets a bit darker, as in “Aurora”, which is almost hypnotic, but at the same time invites you to dance.

And that quickly brings us to the lyrical theme of this album, which is already hinted at in the album title “Censored Self-Harm”. It is about conscious and unconscious self-harm and self-denial. And since this is of course not an easy topic – but is sometimes packed in catchy music in a seemingly contradictory way – the lyrics are included with the LP so that listeners can deal with it. But of course you can also just enjoy the album as a beautiful Wave-Pop- album, so „Runner“ would have had the potential to be a chart hit in the 80s.

With „Censored Self-Harm“, ADAM USI presents an album that is simultaneously catchy and profound and seems calm in a positive sense. That’s exactly why you should give it a chance, the surprise effect will be big.

1.Malaise 03:11
2.2 10 03:00
3.Farce 04:46
4.Woke Up Unlucky 04:01
5.Aurora 03:57
6.Runner 05:00
7.Man Machine
8.Codependency
9.Engine
10.Boys Can Cry

Adam Usi – Censored Self​-​Harm

Young & Cold Records

Adam Usi – Censored Self-Harm