Remnant Three - A Gentle Reimagining

  by Steve Kinrade

published: 17 / 8 / 2025

---

DISCLAIMER: While I absolutely enjoyed this album, seeing it as what could have been how Joy Division followed up 'Closer', nagging thoughts and concerns remain… Remnant Three’s 'A Gentle Collapsing', was released September 2024, and for anyone who’s spent a significant portion of their life immersed in the cold, atmospheric beauty of late 70s and early 80s British music - like me - it immediately conjures a potent sense of déjà vu. It’s a record that whispers familiar haunts, echoing through the hallowed halls of Manchester’s most iconic and sacred sonic architects. The immediate sense of familiarity for the seasoned listener is not merely a passing recognition, but rather a telling symptom of a deeper artistic choice, suggesting a replication that transcends simple influence. This raises a crucial question: where exactly does the line between respectful homage and outright replication truly position itself? The central argument here is clear: while 'A Gentle Collapsing' possesses undeniable merits – again, I really enjoyed the album – its sonic landscape feels less like a fresh interpretation and more like a meticulously crafted echo chamber, a pastiche, if you will, of Joy Division and early New Order with a sprinkling of The Cure, The Wake and Pale Saints for good measure. But given it was originally recorded in the mid Eighties, this is understandable. Joy Division were the band which refined the external chaos of 1970s punk into a disquieting inner turmoil ushering in the post-punk era; New Order pioneered the successful fusion of rock and 1980s African American dance music styles. These are not just bands; they represent a pivotal moment in music history, inextricably linked to Factory Records' distinctive sound and aesthetic. To emulate them so closely means Remnant Three is not just borrowing musical elements but implicitly invoking a vast, iconic cultural legacy. So, where does this leave Remnant Three's 'A Gentle Collapsing'? It is, without doubt - to these ears - a masterclass in replication, a record that predominately skilfully evokes the atmospheric dread of Joy Division and the electronic melancholia of early New Order. But here's the rub: is this art, or merely a highly competent imitation? Ultimately, while 'A Gentle Collapsing' might offer a satisfying fix for those who crave more of that specific, iconic sound, it rarely transcends its influences. The listener can amuse themselves by attempting to marry what a particular Remnant Three track reminds you of. I will start off - “M.L.” has the musical DNA of New Order’s 'In A Lonely Place' and 'ICB' coursing through its musical veins… 'A Gentle Collapsing 'poses so many questions, with little answers. The label PR describes them as a post punk trio, their Bandcamp site lists five members; they are a band who never played live, were not written about at the time of their existence - to my knowledge - seemingly did not exist until the cassettes of the album were handed over to their label. This is a truly intriguing story, and one I would love to hear more about.. But the label has failed to answer my email. In the meantime, it’s a great listen…

Track Listing:-

1 The Gilded Infancy
2 Permanent
3 Anomie
4 The Predicant
5 Words Are Failing
6 Uncertain of Fire
7 A Cold Removal
8 M.L.

Band Links:-

https://remnantthree.bandcamp.com
https://www.instagram.com/remnantthree/
https://www.words-on-music.com/WM09.html

Play in YouTube:-

Post A Comment

---

Comment

Name

your name

Location

ie London, UK

Submit

Check box to submit

Adam Coxon
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson

Dixie Ernill
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart

Malcolm Carter
Marie Hazelwood
Mark Rowland
Nick Dent-Robinson
Nicky Crewe
Nige Nudds
Philamonjaro
Richard Lewis
Shirley Procter
Spencer Robertshaw
Steev Burgess
Steve Kinrade

Steve Miles
Tommy Gunnarsson
Zena Grieg