Empathy Test

Empathy Test

Empathy Test is a London electronic pop group formed in January 2013 by Isaac Howlett and Adam Relf. The band write, record and produce their own music, and they also design their own artwork. Their work draws on classic 1980s science fiction soundtracks, 1990s guitar bands and modern underground dance music.

Formation and releases

The group self-release their first four-track EP, Losing Touch EP, through Tunecore in February 2014. They then sign to Stars & Letters Records in 2014 and release the Throwing Stones EP later that year. After an amicable split from the label in 2015, they issue Throwing Stones Remixed, a remix EP built from tracks on the original release.

Empathy Test release the double A-side single Demons / Seeing Stars in 2016, with remixes by Sidewalks And Skeletons and MNYNMS. They also release By My Side, with the B-side Vampire Town and remixes by New Portals and Papertwin, followed by Bare My Soul in 2017.

Live members and line-up

The band perform with additional live musicians alongside Howlett and Relf. Christina Lopez joins on drums, Jacob Ferguson Lobo plays keyboards, and Sam Winter-Quick later replaces Lobo in the live line-up. The group is also associated with Oliver Marson.

Later activity

Empathy Test continue as an active London group and are associated with coldwave, electronic and futurepop as well as synthpop and electropop.