Chris Harms not only stands out as a musical chameleon with his band Lord Of The Lost, but also with his very first solo album, “1980”. The album, which is strongly reminiscent of synth-pop, will be released on January 31st, 2025 via Napalm Records and is the realization of a long-cherished dream that is finally coming to life. “1980” delivers a very unique sound yet-untapped in Harms’ main band. Instead, it dives into the uniquely atmospheric synthesizer sounds of the 80s, interweaving them with electronic, wave and goth elements and completely diverting from guitar-driven rock style.
Harms’ distinctive voice and 1980s synth-pop-inspired sound craft an atmospheric journey through time, starting with the wave-infused, dancefloor-ready album opener and first single, “I Love You”. The official music video, released today, perfectly complements the track, delivering captivating visuals that radiate the retro charm of the 80s.
Chris Harms adds:
“‘I Love You’ – that immediately sounds like a cheerful summer hit to me. However, this first impression couldn’t be more wrong. While the 80s synth sound effortlessly creates a sense of lightness, ‘I Love You’ is, at its core, one of the saddest songs I have ever written. Melancholy in neon colors.”
With Lord Of The Lost, Chris Harms just experienced the most successful four years in the band’s history, including participation in the Eurovision Song Contest and tours with Iron Maiden, as well as one #1 and two #2 albums on the Official German Album Charts. But a break is out of the question. The idea of a solo album has been maturing in his mind for a long time and has now taken its final form.
Chris Harms describes 1980:
“If I were forced to categorize this album and label it, it would probably say ‘a strange but successful mix of Depeche Mode, Modern Talking and Sandra with Chris Harms’ voice, but with less perm and mullet’”.
Songs such as the hit “She Called Me Diaval” and “Lunamor” exude a pleasant lightness, while “Past Pain” and “May This Be Your Last Battlefield” strike a reflective note. Two selected duets round off the album: Harms welcomes guest singer Sven Friedrich (Solar Fake) on “Madonna Of The Night”, while Ronan Harris (VNV Nation) can be heard on “The Grey Machines”.
“1980” deliberately avoids attempting to reinvent the wheel, but is to be understood as a musical journey through time. It is proof of Harms’ artistic versatility, for which he is admired and appreciated far beyond genre boundaries. There is no deliberate calculation or riding the wave of any trends on the album, but simply a passion, desire and love for music, with which Chris Harms has marked a remarkable new pinnacle in his discography as a musician.
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1. I Love You 2. She Called Me Diaval 3. Somewhere Between Heaven And Armageddon 4. Missed Call 5. Madonna Of The Night (feat. Sven Friedrich) 6. Lunamor 7. Parallax 8. Past Pain 9. The Grey Machines (feat. Ronan Harris) 10. Vagueness Of Faith 11. May This Be Your Last Battlefield |
[photo credit: Lennard Schmitt]
