Initially, I wasn’t entirely sure what Kat Von D was famous for, but I didn’t think it was music when I sat down to listen to this record. Turns out the renaissance woman has a wealth of talent. A tattoo artist, author, TV personality, beauty icon and, of course, musician, this second album explores love and sobriety via her gothic and synth-fueled ways.

The pretty yet mysterious “Dead” starts the listen with light synth and harmonic singing that recruits beats and strong attention to mood, before the energetic and rhythmic “Vampire Love” sounds right at home in the club during a very late, sweaty night.

Deeper into Side A, “Truth In Reverse” flirts with post-punk and synth-wave amid the soulful singing and bright melodies, while Ferras contributes his talents to the animated and pounding duet “Set Myself On Fire.” Another guest vocalist arrives when Alissa White-Gluz (of Arch Enemy fame) joins for the ominous and metallic “I Am A Machine.”

Further still, “Running Away” is a more minimal moment of dreamy ideas that float with intimacy, and “With You” has Von D hitting some pretty high notes alongside the buzzing synth before the dense beats enter. “All By Myself” exits, and it’s a spacey and unique take on the Eric Carmen hit that allows the soaring vocals to shine over plenty of ambience.

A record that resides on the moodier part of the pop spectrum and also embraces Dark Wave, New Wave and alt-disco ideas, My Side Of The Mountain features well done vocals and meticulously planned out music. Kat Von D enlisted several of today’s top songwriters for the affair, and they tweaked her atypical vision for yet another avenue of her artistic talent.

Rating: B

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