There’s something about Life in Mono that exudes elegance with a dash of opulent melancholia and grandeur.
This refined and sophisticated elegance takes centre stage in their latest track, “When You Play with Fire”. The quiet and subdued bass gracefully weaves through the vocals and crashing drums, creating a melodic dance while the guitars follow suit.
The quartet of Adam DT (bass), Sarah Clayton (vocals, guitar, keys), James Davis (guitar), and Mike Gill (drums) are no strangers to creating a brooding mood that is dark as it is graceful. Each note is smooth, poised, and refined. They are masters of crafting a sound that for me is what I feel defines a goth sound.
Unlike their previous double single, “Blackout” and “Sex to White Noise,” “When You Play with Fire” finds Sarah harnessing the strength of her vocals as she belts out lyrics from the depths of her soul. Her often hushed and soft vocals are replaced with a fire within her that is a white hot heat, melting anything in its path. It’s lovely to hear her push her vocals to a scream that connects to one’s being and is able to shake the listener to the core.
Dark and elegant, “When You Play with Fire” once again proves that Life in Mono is a powerhouse.
