Croce

2015 release, the fifth full length from Father Murphy, one of the most mysterious and enigmatic musical entities to emerge from Italy in recent years. This dark psychedelic/industrial cabaret is a religion-themed concept album - one side representing suffering and sacrifice and the flip reflecting what comes after-the end of suffering, resurrection, or perhaps oblivion. From the shadowy atmospheres of Croce spring forth unexpected blurts of impossibly catchy noise pop, at times operatic like some twisted musical detailing the trials and tribulation of the crucifixion. Male and female vocals by Freddie Murphy and Chiara Lee intertwine over distorted blasts of guitar crunch, anchored by stuttering, home built percussion. This sound is textural and nuanced yet noisy and chaotic, carefully sculpted into jagged shards of fragmented pop.