Title: VNV Nation - Noire
Date: 2022-11-26 23:00

![Album cover for Noire]({static}/images/vnv_nation_noire.jpg)

[VNV Nation](https://vnvnation.com/biography) is somewhat a unique group in my
music collection, as it's hard to put it on a single genre shelf: I
wouldn't call it [EBM](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_body_music) nor
*Industrial Dance*, albeit it does share some similarities with Nine Inch Nails
and Nitzer Ebb. Yet it's still definitely something on its own, and the band's
biography page, especially the "The Name" section presents it best:

> One of the most frequently asked questions is what the letters VNV stand for.
They stand for "Victory not Vengeance". The meaning behind this stylised motto
is that one should strive to achieve, and to do so for the right reasons, not
sit in bitter regret.

Since 1990, [Ronan Harris](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronan_Harris)'
straight and poetic lyrical styling is supported by the artful blending of EBM and
*Industrial Dance* beats infused with the heavy touch of synth-pop. His lyrics to
bring light to important and harsh societal topics often evoke such feelings of
sadness, reflexiveness and arrogance, but never were out of touch, mean nor
vulgar.

The latest album to date, the 10<sup>th</sup>, [Noire](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noire_(VNV_Nation_album)),
released in October 2018, embodies the band's style, ideas, and approach to the
world. Never violent nor angry. A journey to incredibly somber places, dark
realities, emotions and possible futures. And yet, through waves of
emotions and beauty, some dim shades of positivity and gratefulness.
This is what makes their whole discography so special to me: a lot of bands
are either singing about mindless happiness or are *nihilistic dreamboat to negation*.
But none manage to convey hope hidden so deep behind such a strong mist of doom,
let alone with so much emotion than VNV Nation.

The soundtrack carrying the lyrics isn't your typical
dull-loop-with-a-varying-tempo-move-your-feet electro soup, but something
imposing and wide, like if [Laibach](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laibach)
had to collaborate with Front Line Assembly, with incisive and clean beats,
and proper old-school synths.

I don't want to spoil the album by going through it track by track, so you'll
have to listen to it by yourself, with proper headphones, and the lyrics sheet
if English isn't your forte. I'll only say that "Lights go out" is nothing by amazing,
but should you decide to listen to the whole album, or even the whole
discography, you could make worse decisions for your Sunday afternoon.