Conspiracy International / UK / 2023 / LP, Remastered, Burgundy
After parting ways with Throbbing Gristle, Chris & Cosey redefined synth-wave on albums like Technø Primitiv and Exotika, ultimately culminating in 1989’s Trust—a major-label release that remains an underrated gem. Blending fruity, twisted electro-pop with an erotically charged and skeletal production style, Trust feels oddly ahead of its time, despite its grounding in 80s synth aesthetics.
The album features sharp synth drums, MIDI-laden textures, and Cosey’s intimate vocals, creating a stripped-down sound that presages later minimalist electronic movements. Tracks like "Illusion" pair deadpan vocals with serrated analog synths and proto-techno rhythms, while "Percusex" juxtaposes gasping breaths with slowed beats and plasticky FM bass hits. "Rise" incorporates jagged industrial samples and West Asian-inspired melodies, while the title track delivers a stark, beatless reverie with haunting lyrics over lush, Fourth World-style pads.
Trust feels simultaneously tethered to its era and uncannily futuristic, weaving raw emotion and bold sonic experimentation into a forward-thinking electro-pop opus.