Angel Electronics and Making Juxtaposition Work

Hopewell Valley Student Podcasting Network 

Show Name: Buried on Bandcamp

Episode Title: Angel Electronics and Making Juxtaposition Work

Episode #4

You are listening to Buried on Bandcamp the podcast with your host Taylor.

In this episode of Buried on Bandcamp the Podcast we discuss: the band Angel Electronics, their album Ultra Paradise, and their usage of juxtaposition.

Segment 1: Angel Electronics

Angel Electronics is a duo from Los Angeles. It consists of Ash Nerve on lead vocals, songwriting, piano, and drum programming, and Ada Rook on vocals, songwriting, guitar and bass, and drum programming. Ada Rook is what brought me to this project- I really enjoy her music and would really love to do a future episode on her but given reoccurring subject matters of her music, I don’t think I could on this school-friendly podcast. And Ash Nerve I hadn’t heard of them before discovering Angel Electronics, but I greatly enjoy his presence in the band, and I’m definitely checking out some of his other work soon. The duo specializes in a genre they call “brutal euphoria wave,” which sounds confusing but if you listen to their music, you’ll find it’s a perfect descriptor. Their music is fun, optimistic, and sweet, while simultaneously loud and messy, but it balances perfectly. We’ll discuss their album, Ultra Paradise, after this short commercial break.

https://angelelectronics.bandcamp.com/

Segment 2: Ultra Paradise

Alright, welcome back to Buried on Bandcamp. Time to talk about Ultra Paradise. This is Angel Electronics’ only album at the moment, released January 23rd, 2023, but it certainly packs a punch. The first thing I noticed when listening was the religious themes in their work. There are many mentions of angels, even in the name of the band itself. The next thing I noticed is how optimistic their work is. Most of their lyrics are so sweet and charming and paired with the electronic background it seems even sweeter. You’d think that makes the loud and messy parts stand out like a sore thumb, but it doesn’t. I’ll talk about that more in a bit.

My personal favorites off the album are One Thousand and One Nights, Evil Behind You, and Party Girl. One Thousand and One Nights was the first song I heard from Angel Electronics, and I was immediately hooked and went to listen to the album in full immediately afterward. It’s not as sweet and optimistic in the lyrics as some other songs on the album, as it discusses regretting treating a former significant other wrong and missing them badly. But it’s still catchy and the instrumental is still upbeat and fun. Evil Behind You is also a very fun and unique song, especially since even less sweet and silly seeming. A hint of hope and optimism can be gleaned in the lyrics, though- trying to break free from the titular evil behind you. To quote the song, “It doesn’t die / but you don’t have to keep it alive / there’s an evil behind you / but you can leave it behind you.” The guitar in this song is fantastic, and the synths add a layer of determination- it’s great. Around two-thirds into the song, the main melody drops out and the guitars really kick in, with Rook bringing screamo in the background while Ash keeps up the main vocals. It’s an...