Wayne Szalinski are actually a band (who are presumably fans of Honey, I Shrunk the Kids). They have spent the last few years carving out a career in Michigan, with two well-received EPs and plenty of sold-out shows acting as a timely sign that an LP is called for. Black Mirror is that record, a “neo-noir” album that “struggles with masculinity/identity, entangled sexuality and violence, and questions why we love at all.” That might sound rather deep and gloomy, but, while the subject matter is serious, the sound is strangely uplifting, danceable in a tortured, melodramatic sort of way. 

In some ways, using ‘melodramatic’ to describe the things explored through this album feels unsuitable, as the question of identity (be it sexuality or otherwise) is inherently personal and therefore intimate and raw. In other words, the question of identity (that is, what makes you YOU) is always going to be something that sounds at least partly melodramatic when confronted in art. Here however, the tag is entirely fair and justified (in a positive context). As the neo-noir tag suggests, Black Mirror is a stylized, visceral and amplified portrayal of inner-turmoil/torment faced by people whose identity does not fit with the socially accepted norms, taking what is a common and everyday pain and making it dark and weird and uneasy. Takes ‘Bandages’ as an example:

“You’d look prettier dead
so i’ll take you by the hand and direct you to the bed
you’ll strain your lungs into the pillow crying
no no no.

After it is done, I can see the stains on your teeth
and the sides of your face seem to lack all symmetry
I will forgive and never forget,
I won’t deny my philosophy’s amiss
these words are poison delivered through the lips
stating it simply: ignorance is bliss.”

Aside from all of these details, Black Mirror is also a solid slice of math rock/pop, mixing the dark introspection of The Smiths or Jeff Buckley’s Grace with the British indie bands that popped up when emo-revival hit the indie scene on these shores (This Town Needs Guns, Meet Me in St. Louis, Hot Club De Paris etc.). So it’s up to you: either take it superficially and have a good dance or listen closely and explore it’s murky centre.

You can buy Black Mirror from their Bandcamp page.

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