Fading Signals is a five-piece crew from Portland, Oregon, and they’ve got a new cut called “Template“, the second single from their upcoming debut full-length Metanoia, dropping September 25th, and if this track is any sign, we’re in for something dark, danceable, and deeply twisted.
First, let’s give credit where it’s due. This isn’t a one-man show. You’ve got Andrew Gonzales holding down the bass and also handling the album and track art, Aliyah (Arrow) Faith Burgess brings the keys, Jacqueline Mae Mendro is the voice, Scott Calhoon tears it up on electric guitar, and Zavier Andrew Gonzales pounds the drums. The whole thing was mixed and mastered by William Faith at 13 Studio, with Fernando Ruiz engineering the recording at Primal Recording. That’s a solid team, and it shows.
Now, about that sound. “Template” is built on a sharp, post-punk bassline. You’ve got jangly guitar chills, eerie keys, and that synth shimmer that gives the whole thing a cinematic, almost sci-fi glow. It’s heavy guitars next to delicate synths, danceable rhythms paired with introspective lyrics, darkness sitting right next to hope. That contrast is their whole thing.
The track asks a nasty question: Are we controlling our gadgets, or are they slowly gutting us? It dives into the tension of identity in a tech-obsessed world. One side of the coin is the person who strips away their own personality to fit a digital blueprint. The other side is the figurehead who clings to status while losing their own soul in the process. It’s a meditation on imitation, control, and the slow erosion of self.
If you’re tired of bands that sound like they were assembled in a lab, give “Template” a spin. Fading Signals is five friends who’ve spent ages in the dark, loving the late-night energy, and they’ve bottled that vibe into something real. This is alternative rock that doesn’t apologize for being weird. Check it out, and get ready for Metanoia on September 25th. You’ll be glad you did.