electronic / experimental / dubstep
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Dubstep is another genre I usually don't listen to. There's few songs in my extensive collection but I really don't know many of the names in that genre. Kode 9 is an exception. In fact, both albums by Kode 9 & The Spaceape are regularly played items in my collecion. So when I got the chance to review this solo-debut, I couldn't wait. The album is released by Kode 9's own label Hyperdub, also known for acts like Burial, another well-known act in this household.
In a way, this album could be seen as an hommage to The Spaceape who passed away in 2014 after losing the battle with cancer. The ghost of The Spaceape still haunts the music, most notable in the vocals on 'Third Ear Transmission', which brings me right back to the two masterpieces these guys wrote together. 'Void' takes on an emotional side, making the absence of The Spaceape notable. Some other songs also seem to miss the presence of the now digitally immortal poet.
The music seems a bit upbeat, often a little faster but still issues that strange atmosphere for which Hyperdub and Kode 9 are known. On the other hand, there's also some place for either dark ambient passages or Aphex Twin and Autechre inspired IDM. The latter makes 'Holo' a bizarre piece of work, sounding uplifting and spooky at the same time. 'Zero Work' seems to borrow a bit from dark industrial electronics, and thus quickly becomes on of my favorite tracks on this album.
I'm not going into a complete overview of the tracks on this odd but immersive album, but I'd like to mention the seemingly Nintento-core inspired 'Vacuum Packed' as one of the most twisted pieces of electronic dance music I've heard in a while. In fact, the entire album feels a lot more experimental than the previous efforts. That way, I feel like Kode 9 is already one or two steps ahead in the ever expanding electronic scene and taking so-called dubstep music to a different level.
So is it a recommended album? Well, yes, this is the future of a continuously evolving musical style. It's not as deep and dark as his work with The Spaceape. The latter is also clearly missed on this album, making it quite an emotional journey. So check it out if you like some experimental electronics once in a while. Kode 9 fans definitely won't be disappointed, that's for sure.
Serge
In a way, this album could be seen as an hommage to The Spaceape who passed away in 2014 after losing the battle with cancer. The ghost of The Spaceape still haunts the music, most notable in the vocals on 'Third Ear Transmission', which brings me right back to the two masterpieces these guys wrote together. 'Void' takes on an emotional side, making the absence of The Spaceape notable. Some other songs also seem to miss the presence of the now digitally immortal poet.
The music seems a bit upbeat, often a little faster but still issues that strange atmosphere for which Hyperdub and Kode 9 are known. On the other hand, there's also some place for either dark ambient passages or Aphex Twin and Autechre inspired IDM. The latter makes 'Holo' a bizarre piece of work, sounding uplifting and spooky at the same time. 'Zero Work' seems to borrow a bit from dark industrial electronics, and thus quickly becomes on of my favorite tracks on this album.
I'm not going into a complete overview of the tracks on this odd but immersive album, but I'd like to mention the seemingly Nintento-core inspired 'Vacuum Packed' as one of the most twisted pieces of electronic dance music I've heard in a while. In fact, the entire album feels a lot more experimental than the previous efforts. That way, I feel like Kode 9 is already one or two steps ahead in the ever expanding electronic scene and taking so-called dubstep music to a different level.
So is it a recommended album? Well, yes, this is the future of a continuously evolving musical style. It's not as deep and dark as his work with The Spaceape. The latter is also clearly missed on this album, making it quite an emotional journey. So check it out if you like some experimental electronics once in a while. Kode 9 fans definitely won't be disappointed, that's for sure.
Serge