Midnight Mannequin Records MM001 (2021)

After cutting his teeth with 2018’s King-Kill/33° EP and 2019’s Nightmare Boy EP, Jason Priest is back with his full-length debut, Jason Priest Is Missing, on Midnight Mannequin Records. Missing is eight tracks of what can only be described as a sort of post-goth-punk-wave-synthpop, inspired by equal parts The Cure, New Order, Depeche Mode, and Nine Inch Nails. The album firmly places Jason Priest in the upper echelon of synthpop acts, with painfully authentic vocals and masterful songwriting. Moments of upbeat synthpop perfection are juxtaposed against darker lyrics that explore themes of sadness, loss, and facing one’s own mortality. With pounding percussion, catchy guitar melodies, and pulsating synths, Jason Priest Is Missing is simply one of the best darkwave/synthpop albums to be released in years and (forgive us) is absolutely not to be missed. Electronic power-pop for the Haienda crowd, complete with ‘I’m-rushing-my-tits-off’ joy and comedown melancholy.

Jason Priest is the post-punk/synthpop alter ego of Antoni Maiovvi, an artist with immeasurable talent and almost as many creative aliases as he has releases under his studded leather belt. Maybe you know him as the co-founder of Giallo Disco Records, or for his previous work on Death Waltz Originals, or as the creative force behind a long list of horror soundtracks, both real and imagined. Now is your chance to know him as Jason Priest, the British punk rocker who heads to New York City in 1982 on the heels of a brand new record deal, only to spend the better part of the decade strung out on amphetamines and drowning in alcohol. Now, Jason is back in London with renewed energy from both the change of scenery and, more importantly, a newfound sobriety…