REVIEW

3rd album from Twin Tribes, the darkwave/post-punk duo from Texas.

Known widely among goth enthusiasts, Twin Tribes is also worth featuring on a dream-pop/shoegaze-focused site thanks to one of their key weapons: guitar tones that sparkle like jewels. The shimmering riffs recall early DIIV, and with the addition of glistening synths, the overall sound practically glows like a disco ball.

The band cites The Cure’s "Seventeen Seconds" and Ministry’s "With Sympathy" as major influences, which explains the balance of goth weight and melodic brilliance.

While their core remains firmly rooted in darkwave/post-punk, Twin Tribes shines just as brightly as peers like Drab Majesty and House of Harm, proving they deserve a spot in the dream-pop/shoegaze conversation. Some listeners accustomed to whispery vocals in shoegaze may find low, brooding goth vocals challenging, but here Luis Navarro sings more melodically than ever. #7 "Cauldron of Thorns" showcases particularly emotional delivery, which is especially striking considering Luis mentioned this was his first attempt at higher-register singing.

Compared to the darker, more post-punk-focused previous album, this release leans further into electronics, with expanded synth layers, making it a great pick for fans of Dais Records. As an entry point into Twin Tribes—and darkwave more broadly—this album is highly recommended.

Reports suggest darkwave is trending internationally, yet in Japan it’s largely under the radar. I hope to help bridge that gap and elevate the scene. Someday, a festival uniting international and Japanese darkwave acts would be a dream come true. Fans who share this vision should consider backing HANDS AND MOMENT, the team that brought the miraculous Drab Majesty Japan shows, starting with selling out the September ZACK ZACK ZACK tour.