Hailing from Portland, Oregon, Soft Metals is the duo of Ian Hixx and Patricia Furpurse, who are making some of the darkest and catchiest electro pop I’ve heard all year.

If you’re a fan of Glass Candy or The Chromatics, or just anything Johnny Jewel or Italians Do It Better produce/release, then step right up… Soft Metals come heavy with the Italo rhythms and sultry vocals, but aren’t content to just keep things pulsating and dreamy. There’s a heavy Industrial and Darkwave influence that gives each song a film of grime and debauchery.

If you’re into anything remotely dark, synthy and romantic, every single Soft Metals track thus far has been like aural cat nip. Hell they even turn Throbbing Gristle’s “Hot on the Heels of Love” into a decadent aerobic workout for the damned. I love it!

Currently the band has no official releases, but you can download most of their songs and demos straight from their Soundcloud. Those of you with a need for vinyl, expect something (7-inch? LP?) from the band on Captured Tracks sooner than later. But in the meantime, download away!

Currently Soft Metals only has shows listed up and down the west coast, but hopefully come this Fall they’ll be making a trip out East.

- My Pal the Crook