The DSM IV – Negative Utopia | EP Review

Gothic alternative trio The DSM IV make a strong impression on their latest EP Negative Utopia as they continue to climb the ranks of the UK’s underground.

Liverpool based alt-pop trio The DSM IV had big boots to fill before they even played a single note. Led by Guy McKnight, former frontman of legendary noughties goth rock band The Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster, The DSM IV sidestep comparisons to their vocalist’s previous work with an equally gothic yet far more synth-focused sound driven by dramatic melodies and pop sensibilities. With a full-length album already behind them, The DSM IV keep up their momentum with Negative Utopia’s collection of unreleased demos and remixes.

Opening track ‘Pink Lady’ does plenty to establish The DSM IV’s unique identity, clearly taking cues from classic goth acts such as The Cure and Bauhaus while carving out their own sound. With McKnight’s wailing vocals taking point over a bed of distorted riffs from guitarist Jade Ormesher and winding electronic noises from drummer/synth player Pav Cummins, ‘Pink Lady’ acts as a fantastic introduction to the trio’s retro inspired sound. Old school goths and newcomers to the genre alike will find plenty to love in The DSM IV’s mix of the old and new on Negative Utopia.

Across the six tracks of Negative Utopia, The DSM IV run the gamut from modern alt-pop to 80s goth and new wave without losing sight of their individual voice. While tracks like ‘Pink Lady’ and ‘Isolation’ may incorporate elements that sound familiar to fans of classic acts like Joy Division, other tracks such as ‘Pray Like A Fool’ take just as much inspiration from the mid-2000s new rave scene or Holy Fuck style experimental electronic on ‘Racist Man RMX’. Despite being saddled with the goth label The DSM IV refuse to simply repeat the past, instead mashing their vintage inspirations with modern influences for a genuinely unique sound.

As well as four more traditional tracks, Negative Utopia also contains a pair of remixes which reinterpret The DSM IV’s previous hits. The remix of the band’s standalone debut single ‘Racist Man’ takes a slightly more subtle approach, bringing Ormesher’s dramatic guitar line higher in the mix and augmenting it with squelching synths giving the track a unique dance punk energy. ‘Pennywise Hologram Cowboy RMX’ on the other hand reimagines the original track with the same ethos as Brian Borcherdt’s Chipmunks On 16 Speed project, slowing the entire track down until the vocals become distorted and the original instruments take on a stretched-out, ethereal quality and complimenting them with a minimalist drum beat. While there are far too many remixes out there content with simply slapping drum and bass style beats onto an existing track, these remixes genuinely offer a new experience while retaining the energy of the originals.

While Negative Utopia doesn’t reinvent the wheel for The DSM IV, this collection of tracks is sure to keep fans excited for whatever comes next from this exciting up and coming trio. With a reverence for classic goth tropes and some legitimately interesting remixes of their previous work, Negative Utopia fills its runtime with plenty of charm.

Negative Utopia is out 31st January on 9×9 Records.