CD Reviews

Cylix - Beta Life

March 2025

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Greek synth pop trio, "Cylix" returns with emotional electro pop flowing in "Beta Life"!

The Athens-based dark/synth-pop trio Cylix, composed of vocalist Harry G - aka Harry Grypaios, keyboardist Plasma G - aka Georgios Lampiris, and drummer Elias C, made a powerful return this year with their second album, "Beta Life", released on March 28th via Scanner, a sublabel of Dark Dimensions Label Group. After a considerable hiatus since their great debut "Alpha", back in 2010, the band's reunion is marked by a collection of 12 tracks that makes really obvious the trio's more mature view of their creativity and the creation of solid electro pop, while staying true to their signature sound, a blend of melancholic atmospheres, driving rhythms, and deeply emotional lyrics.

The album opens with the powerful "Devotion", which immediately draws into Cylix's romantic world, with its sharp synth lines and Harry G's deep vocals, setting a high-energy tone. The momentum continues with "End of Decay", a beating dancefloor-ready song that feels both nostalgic and modern. The mood then shifts with "As if I Had Your Wings", a more thoughtful piece that allows the lush synth textures to truly shine, while "Never Mind" brings back the classic synth-pop groove with an infectious chorus and the sound of a violin synth giving depth to the sound.

Midway through the album, "In this Prison" stands out as a brooding, more industrialized track that goes into themes of restriction and struggle. It's followed by "A Dying Love", a standout single that perfectly depicts the band's blend of dark sensibilities and emotional melody. "Beta Life" continues with "Distorted Memories", a sentimental track that feels like a reflective intent look into the past, followed by "Broken", a powerful synth pop soundscape.

As the album nears its conclusion, "Endless Skies" offers a moment of atmospheric reflection. "Always Never" provides a final outbreak of energy, a dynamic, intense track. The final two songs, "Spent" and "Down the Drain", serve as a satisfying and somber end to the album, with "Spent" offering a moment of strength and "Down the Drain" leaving a melancholic, intense exit from "Beta Life" followed by the distortion of the guitar chords.

"Beta Life" is a cohesive and compelling work that re-establishes Cylix in the dark synth-pop scene. Fans of late 90's early 00's synth-pop can dive int "Beta Life" without second thought. But Cylix are not stuck in their past sonic paths, since they manage to bring the synth-pop influences into a modern, electrifying dark pop taht touches the lines of melancholic and romantic dark electro!

Info:

https://cylix.gr

https://web.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063527408277

https://www.instagram.com/cylix_official/

https://scanner-dd.bandcamp.com/album/beta-life

https://open.spotify.com/artist/4xCTTSdPLFhU4a93iO2nqH