Having recently announced their new album ‘Escape‘, and first since their debut in 2009 is set for release May 3rd via Italians Do It Better,Desire are sharing their new single & video “Love Is A Crime“, featuring Mirage.
“Love Is A Crime” kicks in with a girl group-styled narration “Calling After Dark…Trying To Break My Heart”. A lyrical nod signaling that the song features the illusive After Dark artist, Mirage, in a duet with Desire. Asking the question…is true love a crime? Electro boogie synthesizers spar with distorted vocals chanting the words “There’s No One Left To Hold You”. The flame of love attempts to connect via dial-up internet service in the track’s outro.
The video is the next chapter in Desire’s Escape saga. Megan Louise hunts down Mirage at an off grid compound in Joshua Tree. In this revenge thriller, she poisons the harlequin with a diamond laced amphibian, inducing a kaleidoscopic fever dream before she attacks.
Escape was written & recorded in Los Angeles & Palm Springs, California. Inspired by the ultra-vivid world of 1970’s giallo films, they wrote the soundtrack of their dreams using their favorite musical instruments.: Minikorg, Jupiter 8, 909, Mellotron, Simmons Rhythm Modules, String Machine, a D-50 & Fender Rhodes.
House music rhythms provide the canvas for girl group narratives & a children’s choir to paint the picture. Throbbing synthwave & daytime drama soap operas all play into the color pallet of the album. The lyrics are sung in English, French, & Korean, adding even more drama to the mix. Through it all, there is the optimism of true love’s compass navigating us through all the chaos life has to offer.
Desire’s synth pop fits where film, fashion & fantasy collide on the dancefloor. On stage, vocalist Megan Louise theatrically pivots between French & English while draped in latex from head to toe. From vixen to villain, she turns to predator with blood pumping thrill. Carrying the campy torch of Vaudeville into this century she is joined by composer Johnny Jewel (Chromatics, Glass Candy, Twin Peaks) on piano & drum machine.
As the flagship artist of the influential record label Italians Do It Better, they have scored runways for Dior, Chanel, Fendi, & Bottega Venetta as well as writing music for films by Nicolas Refn, David Lynch, & Ryan Gosling.
Earlier this year, Desire took their moody bounce to the global dancefloor. Collaborating on tracks with Omar S, Diplo, Guy Gerber, Maceo Plex, & Seth Troxler.
Desire gained worldwide exposure with their hit song “Under Your Spell” which was featured prominently in 2011’s neon-noir film, Drive. In 2019, Desire co-headlined the Double Exposure world tour with label mates Chromatics. The performances are complete sonic & visual emersion for the audience. Their brand of 1980’s infused synthwave is accompanied by ultra-vivid surrealist films projected throughout their set.
In March of 2022 Desire headlined SXSW showcases for Gorilla Vs Bear & Italians Do It Better. The group will be touring Europe & North America extensively Fall/ Winter 2022-23 in support of their new album.
Desire will release Escape on May 3rd via Italians Do It Better. The record was produced by Johnny Jewel and mixed by Vaughn Oliver (Chromeo, Kim Petras). Pre-order album here:https://idib.ffm.to/desire-escape