Matte Blvck, a trio formed by Alex Gonzales, Daniel Corrales, and Bidi Cobra, is known for their unique blend of Darkwave and Industrial music. They recently released their highly anticipated second album, "Vows." The album's standout single, "BTTR," is a collaboration with the legendary Clan of Xymox, one of the pioneering bands in the Darkwave and Post Punk genre. This remarkable partnership brings together elements of dark euphoria, evocative nostalgia, and immersive soundscapes, creating an intense and mesmerizing auditory experience.

 

The hauntingly beautiful duet between Ronny Moorings and Alex Gonzales introduces a dreamlike, serene quality that contrasts with the driving force of the EBM bass lines, pulsating mechanical drumbeats, and intricate cinematic arrangements. "BTTR" not only pays homage to the classic Darkwave sound but also infuses it with a modern twist, perfectly capturing the essence of the genre's evolution over the past thirty years. 

 

The infectious chorus hook “Make Me Better” draws its inspiration and is rooted in Dependent Personality Disorder. The lyrics delve into the experience of individuals who possess an overwhelming need to be taken care of and depend on others for their fulfillment and happiness. The line "Talk to me, as all I want is to feel" poignantly reflects the struggle of those who may inadvertently drain the vitality of others in their pursuit of contentment, leading to a cycle of perpetual yearning for the happiness that eludes them.

 

Ronny Moorings, the lead vocalist, songwriter, and the longest-standing member of Clan of Xymox, has been an integral part of the band's journey. Initially releasing their albums through 4AD and later with Polygram, the band has now found a home with Metropolis Records. Over the years, Clan of Xymox has experienced periods of both mainstream success and obscurity, and now, the resurgence of darkwave music has taken the world by storm. Although Ronny has never officially embraced the darkwave label, there are rumors that the renowned John Peel, of Radio 1 fame, coined the term during their "Peel Sessions" in the early 1980s.

 

Clan of Xymox made an early impact in the post-punk scene with tracks like "A Day" and later with "Medusa." After adopting the name "Xymox," they achieved commercial success with songs such as "Imagination" and "Obsession" in the United States, in addition to other tracks with a more new wave sound. Xymox began to earn recognition on various musical fronts.

 

The genesis of the song "BTTR" can be traced back to 2019 when it was initially considered for inclusion in Matte Blvck's album "I'm Waving, Not Drowning." However, it underwent extensive reworking and was deemed not yet ready for release. The initial production of the song took place at Matte Blvck's studio in San Diego. Later, it underwent re-recording with live instruments at Secret Hand Studios in Los Angeles, which is owned by Jeff Friedl, a renowned drummer associated with Devo, A Perfect Circle, and Puscifer. The song was engineered by Matt McJunkins, known for his work with A Perfect Circle, Puscifer, and Poppy. The mixing process was handled by Aaron Short, a Grammy-nominated mixing engineer with credits including Broods, Benee, So Below, Madison Beer, and Israel Medina, a long-term collaborator of Matte Blvck.

 

Matte Blvck expressed, "We believed that this song needed to encapsulate the essence of our live performances. 'BTTR' has been our closing piece at concerts since our inception, always eliciting an enthusiastic response from the audience. We entrusted the production to Matt McJunkins, someone who truly understands live performance, and Aaron Short, who has the expertise to further develop our sound.”