OPM: Second Anniversary

Dirty Knobs – Scorcher

Idiosyncratic and intense experimental electronica that explores the fringes of techno, IDM, and ambient. This is delightfully hard to categorize and consistently intriguing, full of unusual ideas and novel executions. Standouts elements include the sharp sound design, unusual use of reverbs, and the incorporation of familiar elements, like acid squelches, into novel contexts.

There’s a cinematic quality to much of this, a suggestion of an unseen film accompanying the sounds. Indeed, much of it would work nicely as a film score for a weird suspense or thriller film. Until that happens, you can always turn it up, close your eyes, and watch the movie in your head. 

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Revok – DEATHVVISH

Horror-themed electro industrial, which is usually the best flavor of electro industrial. Dark atmospheres, menacing spoken-word samples, distorted timbres, and driving electro beats mix up real nice and spooky. The obvious comparison is Skinny Puppy (and hey, this act is also Canadian…) and there are some similarities, to be sure – enough that fans of that band should definitely have a listen. 

There are also enough differences, including a few decades of time, to differentiate them, too – there’s lots more happening here than a slavish Puppy tribute. Put it on tonight with a favorite horror movie as a visual accompaniment and embrace a Halloween-in-spring vibe.

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measureless to man – Odes to Redfrik

A prime set of quirky, experimental electronic pieces that explore minimalism, ambience, texture, and randomness. Borne of a series of tweets of SuperCollider code (if I am understanding the liner notes correctly), these pieces are a testament to the wide variety of possible approaches to electronic music. 

These compositions are often oddly abstract and even alien, but they still reflect the passion that went into their creation. This one won’t please everybody, but connoisseurs of experimental music should appreciate the actually experimental approach, and are also more likely to click with the idiosyncratic results.

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Ourobonic Plague – slow pollination

A long, slowly evolving drone set that explores texture deeply while finding inspiration in kosmische and dungeon synth. Those influences come out largely in the timbres, but there are few fleeting moments of harmonic motion that nod in those directions as well. The title is about as spot on as possible – this is a slow pollination of sounds that take a while to sprout.

This one will tend to put you into a bit of trance or daze – the slow movement, compelling timbres and placid yet somehow intense vibe seems custom made to knock you out of conscious thought. This is one you need to take your time with, but the rewards are there if you do. 

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Bloodless Girls – Pink Pills for Pale People

Four tracks of raw, guileless, and decidedly lo-fi indie rock – just guts, guitars, and a voice. The liner notes mention the “scruffy bedroom pop” of early Liz Phair, Lou Barlow, and Tobin Sprout. I might add early Magnetic Fields or a less odd Daniel Johnston. 

Comparisons aside, the guitars are fuzzy and distorted, the vocals are untrained and emotive, and the production is strictly “hit record and belt it out.” Not going to be everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s certainly a part of a rich tradition of vital, heartfelt, and unpolished gems. Give it a listen, maybe something in here sparkles for you.

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