The enigmatic Dicepeople, known for their signature blend of dark electro and—dare we say—goth wave (if that’s not a genre, it is now), return with their first album in seven years. Wasteland is a brooding, immersive journey into a tech dystopian soundscape. It opens with Red Lines, where atmospheric synths and echoing kick drums lure the listener into its cinematic depths. Dicepeople have always had a distinctive sound—this is them at their moody, menacing best. It’s music that could score a film noir set in the future.
The three singles of Waste, Empress and Elemental follow, Waste which I reviewed in February is an anthemic dance track reminiscent of Underworld, to date this my favourite track of theirs.
Unreal City is a slow-burning, menacing piece simmering with tension, poised to erupt in waves of glorious synths—all delivered with expert subtlety. The lyric “People are being duplicated” hints at a chilling, uncertain future.
Divide and Rule cleverly weaves in the haunting sound of bagpipes to underscore its critique of the UK’s fractured state, challenging everything from media narratives to televised misinformation. Once again, brooding synths provide a beautifully dark melody that anchors the track’s uneasy mood.
Fragile opens with the haunting sample “Evil is a spiritual being,” setting the tone for a track steeped in atmospheric darkness and layered harmonies.
The Flame follows—a classic Dicepeople creation: 100 BPM of slow-burning, cinematic tension.
Solitary Soul begins with a mysterious “can you guess the sample?” moment, leading into the line “Terrifying times.” The track unfolds with beautiful harmonies and trademark subtlety. The album closes with Deeper – A cathartic finale that feels like a sonic eruption reflecting a world irrevocably changed.
If there’s a frustration to be had with Dicepeople, it’s this: why aren’t they headlining the major goth festivals? This is an outfit that not only understands their sound but delivers it with precision, atmosphere, and purpose. Wasteland demands the headphone treatment, preferably in a burning street filled with sheeple.
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Article by Mr Laurence
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