Released on: 9th September 2022
The latest album from international superstars KMFDM, Hyëna, is a perfect example of the industrialists doing it again, and doing it in their own majestic style. The intricacies of which span pop to industrial, heavy rock to reggae and country to bossa nova. The album is replete with guests and considering the date of the bands’ inception– sounds as fresh and fun as their earlier work.
However, with that being said, the zeitgeist of hyper-sexual mainstream chart music is more stale than the fermentation of your Grandad’s porn collection. So, really, there is not much competition there. Hyëna is an eclectic album that incorporates a myriad of styles into a neat package.
Anachronistic towards the 90’s perhaps; Hyëna is reminiscent of a time when boundaries were, thankfully, being knocked down and overcome. There are elements of post-satanic panic; Carpe Diem methodology; future proofing deep within the lyrical concepts found within Hyëna. Elements that have seeped their way back into the mass-market and mainstream vernacular. It is disheartening that KMFDM are not more well known, with nearly forty years of creating leftfield pop music, Sascha and co. are consistent in releasing good records.
An all action album Hyëna hits every high it shoots for. And, it does it with grace. At its core Hyëna is a fun romp through a jungle of genres. Yet, hidden deep within its grooves are earwigs just waiting to drum, air guitar– whatever along to. KMFDM are back at it. And they are doing it better than the rest. And, Hyëna can quite happily sit at the top of the disco.
8/10
