LEATHERS is the Vancouver-based project of visual artist Shannon Hemmett and producer Jason Corbett, best known for his work with the post-punk band ACTORS. Since debuting in 2016, the project has become a cornerstone of the modern darkwave revival, distinguished by its high-concept visual identity and polished production.
Hemmett, a professional photographer and graphic designer, treats the project as a total audiovisual experience, citing the provocative photography of Helmut Newton and the shoegaze textures of Curve as primary inspirations. Musically, LEATHERS bridges the gap between 80s new wave and contemporary synth-pop, utilizing motorik drum patterns, chorus-drenched guitars, and lush analog synths. The project has evolved from a series of enigmatic singles into a cohesive long-form presence with the release of 'Ultraviolet' in 2024. Critically, LEATHERS is praised for bringing a 'sleek' and 'luminous' quality to a genre often defined by its gloom, positioning them as a more accessible, aesthetically-driven peer to acts like Minuit Machine and Boy Harsher.
Shares reverb_heavy, studio_polished, digital_clarity (production style); mysterious, brooding, dreamy (moods)
Shares darkwave, synth-pop, shoegaze (subgenres); reverb_heavy, studio_polished, digital_clarity (production style)
Shares mysterious, brooding, dreamy (moods); breathy, ethereal, gentle (vocal style)
Shares reverb_heavy, studio_polished, digital_clarity (production style); breathy, ethereal, gentle (vocal style)
Shares breathy, ethereal, gentle (vocal style); urban_night, late_night, fog (atmosphere)
Shares reverb_heavy, studio_polished, digital_clarity (production style); synth-pop, darkwave, dream pop (subgenres)
Shares mysterious, brooding, wistful (moods); synth-pop, darkwave (subgenres)
Shares darkwave, synth-pop, dream pop (subgenres); urban_night, late_night, fog (atmosphere)
Shares darkwave, synth-pop, dream pop (subgenres); reverb_heavy, digital_clarity, layered_dense (production style)
Shares darkwave, dream pop, synth-pop (subgenres); reverb_heavy, digital_clarity, layered_dense (production style)
Shares ethereal, submerged vocal processing, shoegaze, darkwave (signature)
Shares ethereal, studio_polished, dream pop, tense (signature)
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