D. Ramirez has been a force in club music for decades. Now, under his Raze.D alias, he embarks on an entirely new sonic journey with 'Angry Silhouette', a deeply introspective, synth-driven album that sees him embracing his own voice and songwriting for the first time. Download/stream 'Angry Silhouette' here: https://dreamwave.lnk.to/AngrySilhouette.
A Long Time Coming
For Ramirez, this shift has been a long-standing ambition. "I've always wanted to create this kind of album, but my deep involvement in the dance music world made it difficult to find the time," he explains. The pandemic offered the rare opportunity to step back and fully dedicate himself to the project. The result is a strikingly personal album, touching on themes of technology, self-worth, and modern anxieties, while channelling the energy of 80s Sheffield.
"You're absolutely right—this album is deeply personal and reflects the thoughts and emotions that have built up over the past few years. The isolation of the pandemic brought a lot of pressure, but it also provided a wealth of inspiration. In many ways, channeling those feelings into music was a liberating experience, allowing me to express myself fully and release my frustrations creatively."
Echoes of Sheffield
Ramirez grew up immersed in the sounds of The Human League, Cabaret Voltaire, and Heaven 17. That influence is unmistakable across Angry Silhouette. "Life moves fast, but I remember those moments like they were yesterday—even though it’s been over 40 years since I first discovered bands like The Human League and Heaven 17. So yes, I was definitely channeling that era, even subconsciously."
Tracks like 'Something Better' and 'Angry Silhouette' are rich with the melancholic synths and brooding atmospheres of that era. Yet, this album isn’t just nostalgic—it’s a fresh take on those influences, reimagined through the lens of Ramirez’s personal and musical evolution.
A Commentary on Technology and Society
One of the album’s most compelling aspects is its thematic depth. 'Overload' questions our digital dependency, while 'Push The Fader' explores internal struggles in an age of constant noise.
"Electronic music has definitely evolved alongside the way we consume technology. With the rise of smartphones and curated playlists, music has become more accessible than ever, but it’s also more passive—people can listen without necessarily thinking about what they’re hearing or how it was created. It raises an interesting question: was this track made by a human, or was it generated by AI?"
That existential question runs through the album, adding weight to its synth-laden soundscapes.
A Raw Emotional Journey
Perhaps the album’s most intense moment comes with 'Push The Fader', an industrial-tinged outpouring of emotion.
"It was very much a journey into my own mental health—the depression and anxiety that often go unnoticed by the outside world. So many of us, instead of confronting our struggles, try to silence them—drowning out intrusive thoughts rather than dealing with them. This is especially true for men, who often find it difficult to open up about their emotions, leading many to escape through substances or other self-destructive behaviors. For me, this has been an ongoing journey of self-awareness and expression."
The album’s vocal arrangements also stand out, particularly on 'Coming For You', where Ramirez layers his own voice to create a haunting, multi-dimensional atmosphere. "With Coming For You, I wanted to create a haunting, almost eerie sense of paranoia—the feeling of being watched or pursued. To achieve that, I focused heavily on the harmonic structure, layering multiple vocal tracks to build depth and atmosphere."
Live Aspirations and the Future of Raze.D
With the album now released, could a live show be on the cards?
"I’ve always wanted to perform live as a frontman, whether as the singer of a band or leading a project, so it’s definitely something I’d love to do. That said, I wanted to gauge the reaction to the music first before making the shift from studio to stage, as it would take a lot of preparation to recreate the album’s sound in a live setting. However, since I played a lot of live instruments on the album myself, I think it would be incredible to assemble a band while maintaining that Pet Shop Boys-style 'man with a synth' approach. So—watch this space!"
As for the future, Ramirez confirms that more is on the horizon, but patience will be required. "I’ve already started working on my second album, but considering Angry Silhouette took over four years from start to finish—don’t hold your breath! The process is long, intense, and truly a labor of love, so I need to be in the right mindset to keep the inspiration flowing."
For an artist who has continuously evolved throughout his career, Angry Silhouette is both a bold reinvention and a deeply personal statement. Whether through nostalgic synths or introspective lyrics, Raze.D has found a sound that is truly his own.
D. Ramirez / Raze.D
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