Energy Whores - Arsenal of Democracy

​Energy Whores

Arsenal of Democracy
self-released; 2025

By Jamie Funk
​

Rather than offering escapism, Arsenal of Democracy stares directly at the machinery shaping contemporary life. Musically, the album threads multiple styles but mostly electronic from what I heard into a tense architecture where dancefloor momentum coexists with stripped passages that leave unease fully exposed. Rooted in a DIY New York ethos they are documenting a cultural moment in which clarity itself feels confrontational.

The record opens with “Hey Hey Hate!,” its percussion recalling the stark, utilitarian grooves of early Aphex Twin to some degree at least in palette. I was struck by the interchanging vocals and the slightly funky yet mechanical pulse, a friction that gives the track its character. The transitions feel deliberate, and the auto-tuned vocals integrate into the circuitry rather than floating above it. As an opener, it establishes both tone and method. It's also arguable the best song on the album.

“Arsenal of Democracy” follows with a brisk, synth-saturated charge, its programmed beats and tightly seated vocals reinforcing the album’s grid-locked aesthetic. As the sequence continues, certain textures begin to blur together, though “Pretty Sparkly Things” maintains interest with its metronomic insistence, and “Mach9ne” deepens the palette with a darker tonal weight. The hyperkinetic “Bunker Man” contrasts with the more emotive “Two Minutes to Midnight,” where the appearance of piano offers a rare organic contour.

Later tracks extend the template with varying degrees of success but I found it all enjoyable. “Little Pill” sharpens the melodic focus, while “ElectricFriends” builds a convincing atmosphere from its synthetic haze. “Speedo Boy Dance” and “King Orange” introduce flashes of playfulness within the album’s rigid framework.

The overall feel is mechanical and grid-bound, which suits the electronic palette and may well be the point. Despite the absence of swing, I found many of the hooks effective and unexpectedly fun. The robotic vocal treatments align with the album’s circuitry, reinforcing its themes without diluting its immediacy. Overall, I was impressed and think you will be too. Check it out!

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