The Skipped Beat by Signal Infusion

It's an ongoing plight for many, dealing with the bleak conditions of a capitalist world run by greedheads and tyrants. The musical response so often comes in the form of an Ambient balm, like a temporary escape to soothe battered wills and worn-down minds. In the case of this debut album by Swedish artist Signal Infusion, it's the opposite.

[The Skipped Beat is] an album about identity crisis, isolation and endless stress caused by the world we live in

With its monochromatic melodies and downbeat vibe, the response is not an offer of respite but one of justified anger and frustration. Using heavy electronics (vibrating bass, guitar-like synth sounds and harrowing rhythms) the doom-filled mood relentlessly suppresses. But the music isn't difficult to listen to. It's seething (Eyes Won’t Shut), introspective (Today is Going to Be Better Than Tomorrow) and, tentatively, hopeful (Give Up or Persevere) and these factors combine to great effect, leaving the listener ruffled, roused and righteous.

This could be the diary. This could be the self-reflection. This could be the growth, the echoes of all mistakes that were made. This could be the wound but this also could be the barely visible scar and its subtle, never-ending, phantom pain. This could be me and this could also be you.