Numero Group reissue Belgian cold wave trio Elisa Waut’s 1982 DIY debut, a thrilling under-half-an-hour blast of European post-punk dreams

Numero Group continue their run of astonishing reissues from 1982 (see also Rupa and Antena) with the self-titled debut album by Belgian cold wave outfit Elisa Waut (Chery Derycke alongside siblings Elsje and Hans Helewaut). Originally issued as a demo tape, Elisa Waut is a thrilling under-half-an-hour blast of European DIY post-punk dreams.  

“Intro” utilises an existing reading by William Burroughs, where he commemorates the first appearance of Doctor Benway by getting into character, with that rich, satiric and oddly comforting voice of his. A wobbling lo-fi Casio-like electronic track runs through the piece, with appealingly uneasy propulsion. Performative statements by friend of the band Jan are layered on top. Segments combat against each other rather than submit to co-operation, and what shouldn’t work absolutely does. The complete Elisa Waut sound subsequently emerges on “Being Strong”, where Elsje’s vocals take matters into another sphere. “Go and show the world that you are liberated”, she declares, part-Debbie Harry and part-Nico. It’s an intoxicating swoon, a basement torch song for the late new wave crowd.

“Waiting” kills with its opening bassline and remains on a minimal edge. A rudimentary synth sweeps up and around Elsje, cloaking her in a darkness that could fall apart at any moment. Lyrics combine isolation with sexual charge: “I’m all alone / It’s my chance to taste a love I couldn’t get from you”. The Marlene Dietrich inspired “Unrath” is 1930s nightclubbing given a stripped back post-punk remake. Elsje switches between languages with ease and wit, whilst always keeping a hand at the listener’s throat. Constructed from toy instrumentation and an air of severity, “Au Clair De La Lune” is nothing less than Chantal Goya fronting Joy Division and as such is obviously invigorating.

The Cold War cold wave anthem “Russia” has an icy posture and a whispering intimacy. Like the dark-hearted, underground flipside to Ultravox’s “Vienna”. A closing statement, “Summary of All” has a bounce in its step, creeping towards the dancefloor in subversive Liquid Liquid guise. Throbbing bass, minor synth shifts and rattling drum machine accompany Elsje as she gets inside your head like Nancy Sinatra on “Some Velvet Morning”. This is Phaedra playing with The Velvet Underground and it’s impossible not to be stirred up.

numerogroup.com/elisa-waut

Stewart Gardiner
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