Some records invite you to dance. Others dare you to survive. “KISS KISS CUT CUT”, the title track from VHS PANTY RIOT’s debut EP of the same name, lands firmly in the latter category, embracing the blood-soaked aesthetics of vintage slasher films while delivering a muscular dose of darksynth. The UK-based solo project draws heavily from the neon-lit worlds of 1980s horror cinema, arcade games, and synthwave, channels those influences into an adrenaline-fueled instrumental that feels cinematic, aggressive, and unmistakably modern.
The five-track EP completes the project’s opening chapter after the earlier singles “You’re Pretty When You Panic” and “I Smile You Scream,” adding three fresh cuts that deepen its horror-inspired universe. Every element of the music is written, produced, and performed by Nathan Wilde, proving that the project’s visceral energy comes from a singular creative vision. Mastered by Thibault Chaumont, the production balances crushing low-end with crisp, shimmering synth textures, allowing every dramatic flourish to hit with maximum impact.
The title track immediately establishes its cinematic ambitions. It opens with the sharp crack of gunfire before warm, shimmering synthesizers emerge from the chaos. Heavy drums soon thunder into the mix with unwavering force, while pulsating bass and bounding electronic textures steadily intensify the atmosphere. The arrangement carefully layers tension, making every beat feel like another step deeper into an unfolding nightmare.
What makes “KISS KISS CUT CUT” particularly engaging is its sense of movement. The pounding rhythm drives relentlessly forward while the synth melodies inject flashes of color into the darkness, creating a soundtrack that feels equally suited to a neon-drenched nightclub or the climactic chase scene of a forgotten VHS horror classic. The track tells a vivid story through dynamic production and dramatic pacing.
Fans of Carpenter Brut, Perturbator, and John Carpenter’s iconic horror scores will certainly recognize familiar DNA, but VHS PANTY RIOT avoids imitation by injecting a modern metal edge and an unmistakable cinematic flair. “KISS KISS CUT CUT” is stylish, intense, and unapologetically theatrical—a thrilling slice of darksynth that proves horror can still make for an irresistible groove.
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Review by: Naomi Joan