A strange collage of electronic and rock
XCIII has released their latest album Void. This nine-track collection combines disparate styles of music into one with varying results. The album owes as much to King Crimson as it does LCD Sound System, as many features of these bands can be heard throughout it. Drum loops and layered vocals form the foundation for explorations into guitar-driven experimentalism. When these styles mesh, it creates a majestic pallet of discordant melodies. Whether or not they clash intentionally, or otherwise, things can become mired in these confusing walls of noise. There is still merit to these tracks, but the mixture of genres can distract from the given song. To listeners open for the sometimes off-putting sound of this album, its layer-upon-layer approach makes for a hypnotic listen.
“IR” is more of an introduction to the album than a song on to itself. The cacophony of modern society is satirized by the group by adding a voice-over from a robot. “Red Lights” has a removed monologue about what people do to get ready in the morning, aided by the use of synthesized keys and looped drums. It’s not a track that will appeal to most but it’s charming in its own eccentricities.
“Hannah” is our first taste of what XCIII can really do when given enough time. The song’s lyrics are made up of multiple palindromes. The instrumental work is psychedelic and chaotic but organized into distinct sections to match the rhythm of the words. The song feels like the first cohesive piece of music on the album so far. XCIII does not get bogged down in small details on this one, rather, they create a large canvas that lets them reach higher altitudes.
“Lunchbox” is another oddity that draws attention to itself by being characteristically off the wall. Again, XCIII utilizes a wide variety of electronic sounds to create a wall of looping tones that contrast against one another. Similarly, “Tapeworm” is a lengthy instrumental that bends and shifts through different forms. It transitions from electronic through psychedelic rock into progressive fusion. As soon as it lulls us into a sense of familiarity, we’re thrown into a different section that can clash or harmonize with the part that came before it.
There’s no getting around the fact that Void is a strange album. For listeners open to hearing something new, it’s equally rewarding and perplexing.
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