LIGHTS

The Negative Way's dark, heavy and moody guitar electronica surprises and delights.

- In Dublin

The Negative Way may not sound like the chirpiest bunch of sunflowers in the world, and that's even before you've heard a note. But if you can get past the glum band name, and manage a few minutes on their black and blue Myspace, you are in for a treat. What awaits you there is some rather satisfying electro-indie of a quality that is all too rare in these parts of the world. Northern Europe is wading in 80s-obsessed, vitamin d-deprived, electronic miserablism, but the Dublin quartet's sonic introduction is so channelled, confident and professional sounding that they could reinvigorate the genre in this country, and even abroad. Regret is a cleansing wash of synthesizers and confession, while You Won't Find (What You're Looking For) is the funkier side of melancholy, like Depeche Mode with flares and an afro. With sporadic live appearances promised, TNW are currently in a lab with a pen and a pad, getting a debut EP together which they plan to drop on us during the summer. Just as the weather's starting to get good. Cheers lads.

- Connected Magazine

The Negative Way are a new 4-piece electronica alt rock band from Dublin with quite a strong influence of Depeche Mode in their sound. I found them on myspace earlier this week. As far as emerging bands go, these guys have a lot of quality, and more than worthy of mention here. It seems they've yet to even start gigging though, and their website is still largely under construction, but they have made a few of their songs available to download from it as a taster of what is to come. Anyway... this is a band who are likely to appeal if you've a penchant for a sound retrospective on perhaps the softer side of 80s electronica rock. Well, it appeals to me, plus they're very good at it, so a big thumbs up from here. In 'I Waited For You', the retro-80s electronica indie appeal is most pronounced, and where the Depeche Mode influence can be most clearly heard. Its quite downhearted, a touch despondant even, but there is warmth there too, and a good song. However, the choice song is 'Regret', still with an electronica backbone, the application of some warm indie guitar riffs not far removed from those of Snow Patrol give it a more contemporary indie-rock balance, and a much stronger song overall regardless. Take a listen to these guys while they remain below the radar - you could well be impressed. - Frequency Ireland