Music: ADMRLS

ADMRLS

One-man local band plotting post-punk inspired album for 2022 release

Evansville's Rob Carter really, really digs Joy Division, the revered English rock band fronted by the late Ian Curtis who famously crooned his way through one of post-punk's most beloved anthems, "Love Will Tear Us Apart," back in 1980. While the remaining three members re-emerged as New Order soon after their leader's unfortunate passing and went on to international success via such classic alternative hits as "Blue Monday" and "True Faith," there's simply a mystique about JD and the two extraordinary studio albums the quartet produced - Unknown Pleasures and Closer - that can never be eclipsed. Effortlessly atmospheric yet remarkably propulsive, the band captured grey England on record - a sound that Carter is diligently working towards on an upcoming 2022 release, enjoy.. over the years he's become fairly proficient on guitar and bass and comfortable as a vocalist, too, adapting a baritone singing style with gothic overtones clearly influenced by his hero Curtis and the likes of Bauhaus frontman Peter Murphy - an approach first heard on 2021's Mariner EP, Carter's debut under his ADMRLS moniker. "That release was more progressive, more alternative - but enjoy. is more on par with the post-punk sound that I'm going for," he explains, "more my cup of tea." Regardless, it was a solid collection with some great songs like "...And Then I Became Everything at Once" and "Marooned" which, while owing a debt to Smashing Pumpkins and other bands from that era, aren't that far removed from the current project. feel that Carter craved has been captured in spades, echoing the late 70's period to a T. And the lyrics fit the mood perfectly, too, addressing exploitation. "There's a line in the song that kind of sums it up - it goes "To be used is to be useful,"" he says. "It starts almost braggadocios but in a sarcastic sense - like come one, come all. But it ends on a dull note, like, this actually sucks." However, as Carter notes, it's not all doom and gloom on enjoy.. "There's actually a love song on it and a song about sex," he says, "and there's another song called "Hidden Gem" which is kind of like

And, apart from the guidance of Steve Tyner at Black Cat Recording, it's a solo mission. Carter's a drummer at heart, but

To be accurate, Carter recorded three songs for enjoy. with producer Nate Hicks prior to linking There's a line in the song that kind of sums it up - it goes "To be used is to be useful. " up with Tyner for the remainder of the proposed nine songs. Judging by an early mix of the title track, the work being done at Black Cat is coming along nicely - the "dark, cagey" sonic if you're looking for enjoyment out of what you see - surface reality - you'll often be disappointed; you have to look deeper."

Carter plans to reconnect with Tyner this month to continue recording and hopes to put enjoy. out by the end of the year. We'll follow up when it's all said and done.

Check out the Mariner Ep on all major streaming services. For more info, follow Rob Carter on Facebook.