Blaqk Audio made its presence known on MySpace earlier this year before revealing itself as the electronic side project of AFI’s Jade Puget and Davey Havok. With CexCells, the pair delivers an emotionally charged collection that certainly pays homage to pioneering dance/rock/electronic acts like Depeche Mode, Visage and Human League, but sounds more like acts of today such as VNV Nation, Apoptgyma Berzerk or Covenant. Havoc’s vocals, at times, even recall those of League leader Phil Oakey. Puget’s programming and keyboard work, meanwhile, would not sound out of place in a DJ set by Paul Van Dyk or Tiësto particularly on tracks like Again, Again and Again and On a Friday. But let’s face it, it’s more Neo-goth and EBM than Euro trance. Album opener Stiff Kittens is equal parts AFI and Information Society, while closer Wake Up, Open the Door and Escape to the Sea is primed for chill-out lounges. Consider the eerily beautiful Where Would You Like Them Left? a single-in-waiting.
