Since Empathy Test's conception in January 2013, the London-based Electronic Pop act has self-produced and released three stunning albums (Losing Touch and Safe From Harm in 2017 and Monsters in 2020) and a string of memorable singles. Their "dark, anthemic electro-pop" (Fresh on the Net) has won them critical acclaim, a legion of dedicated fans worldwide, and features from the likes of Vice on HBO, MTV's Catfish, Netflix, KCRW, BBC Introducing, Clash, LoBF, Earmilk, PopMatters and many more.

Empathy Test - Top Tracks

The debut song by Empathy Test, an electronic pop duo from London, UK. Originally released in February 2014 on the Losing Touch EP. Re-released as part of the Losing Touch LP in November 2017.

LYRICS:

Scared of losing touch
If I really mean that much
Why pretend that you love him?
Don't call me out the blue
When it's clear that I still do
And you know he knows it too.
Going home alone
The only love I've known
It's always been you.
It’s always been you.
 
Tell me it's not real
Tell me he doesn't make you feel
The way I made you feel.
If you care for me at all
You'll hang up when I call
You'll clear me space to fall.
If you give I will receive 
And despite what they believe
It's always been you.
It's always been you.
 
It’s always been you.
 
When you're feeling alone
And you're colder than stone
Call me you know...
It's always been you.

Losing Touch

Losing Touch EP

Kirrilee

Performed live at Liliom Kino in Augsburg, Germany, for Losing Touch Festival, a festival named after this song. With Christina Lopez on drums and Oliver Marson on keyboards. Originally released on an EP of the same name in 2014, before appearing in remastered form on the 'Losing Touch (Remastered)' studio album in 2017.

Time To Be Alive

Losing Touch (Live at Liliom Kino, Augsburg, 2022)

Performed live at Liliom Kino in Augsburg, Germany, for Losing Touch Festival, a festival named after Empathy Test's debut single. With Christina Lopez on drums and Oliver Marson on keyboards. Originally released in 2020 on the 'Monsters' studio album.

Doubts (Live at Liliom Kino, Augsburg, 2022)

Performed live at Markthalle in Hamburg, Germany, on Empathy Test's headline Monsters tour in 2022. With David Leisser on drums and Oliver Marson on keyboards. Originally released in 2020 on the 'Monsters' studio album.

Fear Of Disappearing (Live at Markthalle, Hamburg 2022)

Performed live at Backstage in Munich, Germany, on Empathy Test's headline Monsters tour in 2022. With David Leisser on drums and Oliver Marson on keyboards. Originally released in 2020 on the 'Monsters' studio album.

Incubation Song (Live at Backstage, Munich, 2022)

Holy Rivers (Live at Backstage, Munich 2022)

Performed live at Liliom Kino in Augsburg, Germany, for Losing Touch Festival, a festival named after Empathy Test's debut single. With Christina Lopez on drums and Oliver Marson on keyboards. Originally released in 2017 on the studio album, 'Safe From Harm'.

Vampire Town (Live at Liliom Kino, Augsburg 2022)

Performed live at Private Club in Berlin, Germany, on Empathy Test's 2022 headline 'Monsters' tour. With David Leisser on drums and Oliver Marson on keyboards. Originally released in 2017 on the studio album, 'Safe From Harm'.

Bare My Soul (Live at Privatclub, Berlin 2022)

Skin (Live at Liliom Kino, Augsburg 2022)

Performed live at Backstage in Munich, Germany, on Empathy Test's headline 'Monsters' tour in 2022. With David Leisser on drums and Oliver Marson on keyboards. Originally released in 2020 on the 'Monsters' studio album.

Making Worlds (Live at Backstage, Munich 2022)

Empty Handed (Live at Backstage, Munich 2022)

Performed live at Liliom Kino in Augsburg, Germany, for Losing Touch Festival, a festival named after Empathy Test's 2014 debut single. With Christina Lopez on drums and Oliver Marson on keyboards. Originally released in 2020 on the 'Monsters' studio album.

Monsters (Live at Liliom Kino, Augsburg 2022)

Our cover version of Gotye's classic pop hit, Somebody That I Used To Know.

Somebody That I Used To Know (Gotye Cover)

The empathy test in Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner is based on the premise that machines, no matter how advanced, lack compassion. But for childhood friends, Isaac Howlett (vocals) and Adam Relf (production), Empathy Test is all about wearing their hearts on their digital sleeves. With driving synth chords, punchy 4/4 beats and euphoric ‘80s melodies, the London-based duo take inspiration as much from modern acts like Chvrches and Purity Ring as they do from Vangelis and Depeche Mode. But far from sounding like just another ‘80s-electro reboot, Empathy Test have cultivated a mesmerizing and immersive identity which sets them apart from pretty much anyone else on the scene.

With an insistence on glorious hooks and instantly memorable vocal lines, Empathy Test are refreshingly unafraid to be pop music. Since self-releasing their debut EP “Losing Touch” in February, Empathy Test have picked up thousands of fans via sheer word-of-mouth and late-night tweets, and collaborated with Richard Swarbrick on numerous viral animation videos for ESPN and Liverpool FC. Empathy Test signed to Brooklyn’s Stars & Letters Records in the spring of 2014, with their follow-up EP “Throwing Stones” releasing December 9th, 2014.

Website → http://empathytest.com
Facebook → http://facebook.com/empathytest
Twitter → http://twitter.com/empathytest
SoundCloud → @empathytest

©℗ 2014 Empathy Test

Throwing Stones EP

Empathy Test - Holding On

The third track from Empathy Test's self-released debut EP, Losing Touch, released 28th February 2014. Available to buy now in all major digital stores. Re-released November 2017 as part of the Losing Touch album.

LYRICS:

She sings me the saddest of songs
I cannot help but sing along
Forever after in my head.

There’ll be no stopping once she starts
The eternal burden of the queen of my heart
I want to be free, but can't let go.

She doesn't really know why...

I feel so tired I could die
Leave my window open wide
Let my spirit feel the night.

Now I have nothing more to say
I said too much now anyway
Lead me out into the night

The last night on earth...

And it’s you -
Running rivers through me
It's like you always knew me
From the moment of my birth
You'll be the death of me.

It’s you -
Running rivers through me
It's like you always knew me
From the moment of my birth
You'll be the death of me.

And now I have nothing more to say
I said too much now anyway
Lead me out into the night.

Last Night On Earth

The opening track from 'Throwing Stones Remixed', a 10-track remix EP featuring re-workings of tracks from Empathy Test's second EP, Throwing Stones, by a host of talented acts from around the world. This one by NYC's @AeonRings premiered on @kaltblutmagazine 20th July 2015:

http://www.kaltblut-magazine.com/aeon-rings-remix-empathy-test/ 

EP releases 18th August 2015 in all digital stores. Pre-order on Bandcamp now and get an immediate download of this and three other tracks.

Throwing Stones (Aeon Rings Remix)

Empathy Test are back with double A-Side ‘Demons / Seeing Stars’, the first taste of the forthcoming debut album. Since releasing their stunning debut EP, ‘Losing Touch’, the enigmatic duo have impressed with their brooding cinematic electro pop sound; winning both critical acclaim and a legion of dedicated fans worldwide. Their music has seen radio support with KCRW, BBC Introducing and XFM and features with MTV, Clash Music, Earmilk and PopMatters amongst others. Isaac Howlett and Adam Relf formed Empathy Test after discovering a mutual love of eighties sci-fi soundtracks, nineties guitar bands and underground dance music. With echoes of CHVRCHES and Purity Ring, their sound has been described as Future Pop, Dark Wave and numerous other variations along similar themes.

The name Empathy Test is taken from the science fiction film Blade Runner. The duo’s artwork is also sci-fi inspired and follows similar themes to the movie, focusing on the basis of consciousness and the relationship between humans and technology. New track ‘Demons’ deals with the human nature of jealousy and how it can destroy a relationship. It explores how some people unconsciously cultivate jealousy in a partner in order to control them. In this all-consuming infatuation, nothing else matters - “and now she wakes up, every day and she invites, all of my demons to play.” It’s a subject that captures the duo’s strength and goes straight for the jugular.

Empathy Test are renowned for captivating their audiences with their branded mix of analogue synth sounds, uplifting melodies and catchy choruses. Live shows take audiences through driving creative rhythms and eighties pop beats, and new single ‘Demons’ is a live favourite amongst fans. While on tour last year, Empathy Test performed at Wave-Gotik- Treffen Festival in Germany, Urban Forest Festival in the UK and headlined Riba Rocks Festival in Spain. They have shared stages with artists such as Bombay Bicycle Club and The Japanese House. Empathy Test are embarking on another European tour that culminates with a show at London’s The Garage in October 2016. If you haven’t already checked out the electro pop prism of Empathy Test’s world then it’s time to acquaint yourself with this amazing new talent.

Twitter: twitter.com/empathytest
Facebook: fb.com/empathytest
Website: www.empathytest.com

EMPATHY TEST DEMONS LYRICS:

All of my dreams have flown away
All of my ambition with the wind 
Now you’re here.

I never thought I would be satisfied
With anything I had
Now I’m not so sure.

I waited so long for you
Now you’re here I don’t know what to do
With you.

I went hunting for love
When I thought I’d lose.
I meant to shoot down a dove
Shot an angel instead.
And now she wakes up every day and she invites
All of my demons to play.

Fade in fade out like a musical
Rhythm and rhyme in time
Our heart beats sing
Just to remind you we’re still alive in here.

I waited so long for you
Now you’re here I don’t know what to do
With you.

I went hunting for love
When I thought I’d lose.
I meant to shoot down a dove
Shot an angel instead.
And now she wakes up every day and she invites
All of my demons to play.

Well I love her, I hate her
I abhor her, I adore her 
Just the same, just the same
Just the same, just the same.
Well I love her, I hate her
I abhor her, I adore her 
Just the same, just the same
Just the same, just the same.

Demons | Seeing Stars

Demons

Empathy Test are back with double A-Side ‘Demons / Seeing Stars’, the first taste of the forthcoming debut album. Since releasing their stunning debut EP, ‘Losing Touch’, the enigmatic duo have impressed with their brooding cinematic electro pop sound; winning both critical acclaim and a legion of dedicated fans worldwide. Their music has seen radio support with KCRW, BBC Introducing and XFM and features with MTV, Clash Music, Earmilk and PopMatters amongst others. Isaac Howlett and Adam Relf formed Empathy Test after discovering a mutual love of eighties sci-fi soundtracks, nineties guitar bands and underground dance music. With echoes of CHVRCHES and Purity Ring, their sound has been described as Future Pop, Dark Wave and numerous other variations along similar themes.

The name Empathy Test is taken from the science fiction film Blade Runner. The duo’s artwork is also sci-fi inspired and follows similar themes to the movie, focusing on the basis of consciousness and the relationship between humans and technology. New track ‘Demons’ deals with the human nature of jealousy and how it can destroy a relationship. It explores how some people unconsciously cultivate jealousy in a partner in order to control them. In this all-consuming infatuation, nothing else matters - “and now she wakes up, every day and she invites, all of my demons to play.” It’s a subject that captures the duo’s strength and goes straight for the jugular.

Empathy Test are renowned for captivating their audiences with their branded mix of analogue synth sounds, uplifting melodies and catchy choruses. Live shows take audiences through driving creative rhythms and eighties pop beats, and new single ‘Demons’ is a live favourite amongst fans. While on tour last year, Empathy Test performed at Wave-Gotik- Treffen Festival in Germany, Urban Forest Festival in the UK and headlined Riba Rocks Festival in Spain. They have shared stages with artists such as Bombay Bicycle Club and The Japanese House. Empathy Test are embarking on another European tour that culminates with a show at London’s The Garage in October 2016. If you haven’t already checked out the electro pop prism of Empathy Test’s world then it’s time to acquaint yourself with this amazing new talent.

Twitter: twitter.com/empathytest
Facebook: fb.com/empathytest
Website: www.empathytest.com

EMPATHY TEST SEEING STARS LYRICS

Everybody knows you’re not perfect
But you still do your best to hide your flaws.

Everything you do is just surface
But we all know what goes on behind closed doors.

You’ll never know how it feels
To be out on a limb, in the wind.

And you’ll never know how much it hurts
To fall so hard you see stars

To fall so hard you see stars
To fall so hard you see stars
To fall so hard you see stars
To fall so hard you see stars

Everything we do is falling snowflakes
It will all have melted by the dawn.
Give up all your fears for your own sakes
And follow me out into the storm.

You’ll never know how it feels
To be out on a limb, in the wind.

And you’ll never know how much it hurts
To fall so hard you see stars

To fall so hard you see stars
To fall so hard you see stars
To fall so hard you see stars
To fall so hard you see stars

Seeing Stars

Empathy Test return for 2017 with their new EP ‘By My Side’. With echoes of CHVRCHES and Purity Ring, the enigmatic duo have impressed with their brooding electro sound; winning critical praise and a legion of dedicated fans worldwide. Empathy Test evoke a cinematic appeal with their songwriting and showcase an ability to transform the mundane into something beautiful and tragic. This partly stems from their inspiration by sci-fi worlds. Isaac Howlett and Adam Relf formed Empathy Test after discovering a mutual love of eighties sci-fi soundtracks and underground dance and indie music, with the name Empathy Test being taken from the film Blade Runner.

The new EP follows last year’s stunning ‘Demons / Seeing Stars’ release, and only adds further intrigue to their forthcoming debut album. The EP’s eponymous opener explores the emotions of desire within a dysfunctional relationship when all avenues of reconciliation have been exhausted. The listener is initially lulled into a false sense of security; with it’s serene synths and snaps twinned with more emotive lyrics of throwing “another lover on the fire”. The track swells until the soaring chorus perfectly balances the yearning sentiment of the lyrics “Don’t you wanna be by my side?”

If ‘By My Side’ represents the trauma of the EP, then ‘Vampire Town is the emotional light at the end of the tunnel, and conveys a sense of healing. The spacious washes and haunting vocals throughout the EP integrate to form an overall sense of darkness and mystery; and ultimately tell a story of longing, regret and, finally, acceptance. It’s a method that captures the duo’s strength and goes straight for the jugular. Empathy Test are renowned for captivating their live audiences with their branded mix of analogue synth sounds and eighties pop beats; and are playing upcoming shows and festival appearances around Europe - including Electronic Winter (Gothenburg, 28/1/17), Synth Pop Goes Berlin (Berlin, 17/2/17), and Amphi (Cologne, 22/7/17). If you haven’t already checked out the electro pop prism of Empathy Test’s world, then it’s time to acquaint yourself with this amazing new talent.

Vampire Town (Papertwin Remix)

"...like an echo of a classic film soundtrack, [EmpathyTest] wouldn’t sound out of place snaking into the soundtrack of Netflix series Stranger Things’ second season." - The Line of Best Fit

Empathy Test is London-based electronic music duo Isaac Howlett (vocals) and Adam Relf (production). Currently performing their unique brand of emotive, ‘80s tinged synth pop across Europe with the help of Christina Lopez (drums) and Jacob Ferguson Lobo (keyboards), they have previously shared stages with everyone from The Japanese House to Bombay Bicycle Club. Following the success of ‘Seeing Stars’ and ‘By My Side’, Empathy Test are now set to drop new single 'Bare My Soul'.

‘Bare My Soul’ perfectly showcases the childhood friends’ brooding, cinematic sound. Pulsating analogue synthesizers, combined with a staggered drumbeat and rolling toms, drive the track to a dazzling, euphoric chorus. Isaac’s sombre vocals meanwhile, provide snapshots of poignant moments in his formative years, from a friend’s early critique of his “deep and meaningful” song writing, to the death of a girlfriend’s father.

“’Bare My Soul’ is literally about doing just that; baring one's soul. Isaac was initially inspired by a radio documentary he heard about Kurt Cobain, in which someone said, “[Kurt] had this ability to...bare his soul, in a way that no one else could”. The music mirrors that feeling of release when you finally get things off your chest, moving from the dark, suffocating tightness of the verses into the bright, open space of the choruses. The people in the song; Stephen, Blythe, Cassandra and Sophie, are all real people that Isaac encountered growing up” - Empathy Test

With this release, Empathy Test once again demonstrate an effortless ability to translate the atmospherics of classic sci-fi soundtracks into an accessible contemporary pop structure and combine it with confessional lyrics that cut right to the core. Scheduled to arrive on the 21st April, ‘Bare My Soul’ kicks off a PledgeMusic campaign to fund the self-release of Empathy Test’s debut album on the 23rd June.

Empathy Test | Bare My Soul Lyrics

Stephen said why not write something
That’s not so deep and meaningful?
But the truth can be so, 
Tragic and beautiful.

Blythe said she could never
Tell anyone just how she feels.
How will anyone know when,
She caves in and it all gets real?

I want to bare my soul -
In a way that no one can.
In the hope that 
some of you might understand
How it feels 
To be so alone.
To be so alone.
To be so alone.

Cassandra said she’d lost the plot
When she stopped the car to drop me off.
I watched her disappear
Her face reflected in the rear-view mirror.

Sophie woke me in the dead of night
To tell me how her dad had died.
I lie here in the dark but,
Now there’s nowhere left to hide.

Bare My Soul

Vampire Town (Remastered)

Safe From Harm

Bare My Soul (Remastered)

Sleep

Losing Touch (Remastered)

Holding On (Remastered)

Last Night On Earth (Remastered)

Holy Rivers | Incubation Song

Holy Rivers

The b-side to Empathy Test's new single Empty Handed, which releases in all digital stores on 20th June 2019. Pre-order it now on Bandcamp in digital, CD and vinyl formats: bit.ly/EMPTYHNDD

Website: http://www.empathytest.com
Facebook: https://facebook.com/empathytest
Twitter: https://twitter.com/empathytest
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/empathytest
VK: https://vk.com/empathytest

EMPATHY TEST 'A RIVER LOVES A STONE' LYRICS

You are, brittle like the wind 
But I can, see right through your skin.
Well you've got such beautiful bones
And I love you like a river loves a stone.

I am, fickle as I'm thin
I shut you out, but you still got in.
My worst intentions have all been overthrown
And now I love you like a river loves a stone.

Oh yeah I love you like a river loves a stone.
I love you like a river loves a stone.
Oh yeah I love you like a river loves a stone.
I love you like a river loves a stone.

You are, brittle but you'll bend
And I may, break you but you'll mend.
Well you paint me with such subtle tones
And I love you like a river loves a stone.

We are, brilliant though we're flawed
I wish you'd be a little self-assured.
Your best intentions, have all been overthrown
And now I love you - like a river loves a stone.

Oh yeah I love you like a river loves a stone.
I love you like a river loves a stone.
Oh yeah I love you like a river loves a stone.
I love you like a river loves a stone.

Well I could sit and stare at you for hours
Like a bouquet of funeral flowers
But every leaf is painted black
And every petal is as pale as wax.

Oh yeah I love you like a river loves a stone.
I love you like a river loves a stone.
Oh yeah I love you like a river loves a stone.
Oh yeah I love you like a river loves a stone.

Empty Handed

A River Loves a Stone

Following the success of double A-side single, Holy Rivers / Incubation Song, which has racked up over 150,000 streams on Spotify since its October release and was praised by Clash Music for its “shimmering synths, glacial electronics, and heartrending vocals”, London Synthpop group Empathy Test returns with a second, tantalising taste of their upcoming third album, in the form of new single Empty-handed.

Empty-handed presents another sonic leap forward for a band that has never been one to tread water when it comes to their sound, presenting a harder, darker style whilst simultaneously tipping their proverbial hat to the Synthwave scene that helped launch their career back in 2014. An arpeggiated synthesiser provides a relentless momentum from the get-go, while the deceptively simple composition gradually builds to its epic conclusion.

Opening line, “My heart is an empty vessel / Drifting out to sea” sets the tone both lyrically and emotionally. It’s about being unable to give a partner the emotional support or commitment they need and the feeling of emptiness that comes with that. As always, Empathy Test delivers a perfect marriage of music and emotion, the sudden flourishes of strings and synthesisers rushing past like spirits in the night. 

There’s a sense of urgency here that has not been present previously, as well as an innate confidence that suggests the third album, which comes after the simultaneous release of two debut albums Losing Touch (Remastered) and Safe From Harm in November 2017 and is slated for release in early September, might just be the band’s most accomplished to date.

Empathy Test is childhood friends Isaac Howlett (vocals and songwriting) and Adam Relf (production and composition). They perform live with the help of Christina Lopez (live drums) and Samuel Winter-Quick (live keyboards). This June, they tour the UK with Canadian Post Punk band Actors and in September, North America, with Industrial Pop act Aesthetic Perfection. They will also be appearing at selected festivals in Europe. 

Empty-handed will be self-released in digital and CD formats on 20th June 2019, with b-side A River Loves a Stone and remixes by ex-Black City Lights producer TRAAPS and LA artist and producer Ari Mason, plus the band’s customary 7” vinyl picture disc format, all of which can be pre-ordered right now from Empathy Test’s Bandcamp.

For more information, please feel free to contact Empathy Test on email: info@empathytest.com

"Love Moves" is the final track on Empathy Test's third album, Monsters, which releases everywhere on 22nd May 2020: https://linktr.ee/empathytest

LOVE MOVES BY EMPATHY TEST LYRICS 

I don't want anything from you
Just a light, to light my way.
And I won't take up too much of your time 
I'll always need the odd night alone.
You can tell me your dreams 
And I will listen with an open mind.
You can guarantee I'll be taking note
Please don't leave me behind.

Love moves 
Faster than anything I know
Take me wherever you go.
Love moves.

I don't need anything from you
Just to know, you're on my side.
And when I'm tired and broken by this life
I'll always need a safe place to hide.
You can tell me I’m wrong
And I won’t even try to change your mind.
And you can guarantee I'll be making time
Please don't leave me behind.

And love moves 
Faster than anything I know
Take me wherever you go.
And love moves.

And love moves 
Faster than anything I know
Take me wherever you go.
And love moves.

And love moves 
Faster than anything I know
Take me wherever you go.
And love moves.

And love moves 

And love moves 

And love moves 

And love moves

And love moves

Monsters

Love Moves

Skin

Fear of Disappearing

Stop

Making Worlds

Doubts

Empty Handed (Album Version)

Remix of Empathy Test's "Love Moves" by SONO. Released on 5th February 2021 as a part of the (Bandcamp exclusive)expanded digital version of Empathy Test's 2020 "Monsters" album. Also available on digipak CD.

Monsters Expanded

BUY FROM FEB 5TH

Love Moves (SONO Remix)

The band Boy George called a musical orgasm. We don't answer messages on here. Email info[at]empathytest[.]com with any serious propositions.

Empathy Test

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