Liz Lamere, the late Alan Vega's wife and artistic collaborator for three decades, put her own career on hold while overseeing the late Suicide legend's posthumous releases. Now, her new record is upon us. One Never Knows is out now on In The Red Records, and it stands on its own terms as a bracing bit of electronica.
There are, of course, sonic similarities between Lamere's work and Vega's, but there's lots here that is brighter and a good deal more accessible. The borderline-catchy "Vibration" throbs with New Wave-inspired promise, even as the clattering "King City Ghost" roars out of the gate with menace on its mind. That one, and the sleek "Mind" seem cousins to the best Vega/Suicide stuff, though there's a deftness here that renders this a touch more easy to sink into.
What we hear on One Never Knows is the shadow of Alan Vega's music continuing to inspire. Fresh from working on the upcoming biography of Vega, and partnering with him for decades, Liz Lamere is chasing the same vibe. Thankfully her new solo record delivers the pleasures we'd want from such a project so closely associated with the memory of Alan Vega. He'd likely be very thrilled by this music too.
One Never Knows by Liz Lamere is out now via In The Red Records.
[Photo: Jasmine Hirst]