Xeno & Oaklander (USA)

Source: Wikipedia

Xeno & Oaklander is an American electronic music group formed in 2004, consisting of musicians Sean McBride and Liz Wendelbo. Originating from Brooklyn, the band is considered to be among the cold wave revival scene of the 2000s and 2010s.

Musical Style

Labeled as a minimal synth, synth-pop and darkwave act, Xeno & Oaklander is considered to be among the key acts that revive and update the sounds of 70s and 80s' cold wave and minimal electronic bands, combining "crisp analog synths with poetic songwriting and vocals." Pitchfork critic Larry Fitzmaurice has described the band's cold wave-inspired music as "deadpan D.I.Y. post-punk filtered through brutal drum machines and synth lines so brittle and thin you could practically snap them over your knee." Preferring to use analog gear and no post-processing, the band used monophonic synthesizers during the Topiary era, while Hypnos signalled the reintroduction of polyphonic synthesizers and Wendelbo taking on sole vocal duties.