A subtle yet propulsive jarring of the senses which reinvigorates the experimental electronic music scene.
If the title and cover image doesn’t depict the smorgasbord on offer, then by all means grab the digital download as the clear vinyl cut has already sold out—it was released in July 2014 so we’ve had a little time to digest the sonic recipe. Torn to infinite shreds, most of the production is uniform in its trajectory as digital shards dangle from the ceiling. This literal sound explosion ricochets into distant spaces and the UK’s Irrational Media Society collects these fragments for a solid musical concoction.
Just as the music delivers its desaturated fury, there is just as much detail to decipher. LODSB’s “Deconvolved” manages to mulch every audible second, scribbled notes buried below shifted Autechrean beatwork and Oval-styled CD skips. Collapsoft’s “β” yields similar landscapes where fractured electronic forms and crimped bass distortion fluidly evolves. Flint Kids’ “Oblique Berry Oil” degenerates dub and electrical bits as they fall into a scorched bassbin reverberating lost echoes. VNDL, whom we’ve covered in our pages previously, delivers “Circuits Mouvants” via minimized slowly building and subdued sonic architecture. The faded bleeps and crunchy patterns allow for slight melodic segments to seep through blurred ringtones.
While most moniker’s on E.X.P.L.O.D.E. appear to be acronyms of some sort, there’s plenty more on offer as every minute elapses. MTCH’s “Defrastic” moves about as tethered and skewed beats flicker, the undulating rhythms piercing through a low flying chamber. MVW (as Suck Susan) generates erratic drums and clashing instruments with faintly sliced and diced rhythms to balance its busted mood on “Baby You’re No Fun.” Genseiichi’s “Desert,” yet another turbulent electro sliver, breaks through its minimized undertones and aquatic outer shell as 6SISS’ “Nothing Left To Ravage” emits data streams in a wired mess that all seems to unravel in a slow-motion cyclic blur. Let’s not forget the Phoenecian-inspired “Incredul” by Equilet; its broken electro forms slither about as clips and clanging rhythm boxes are tossed onto a warped wooden dancefloor.
Now take a step back, then jump right in—E.X.P.L.O.D.E. is a subtle yet propulsive jarring of the senses which reinvigorates the experimental electronic music scene.
E.X.P.L.O.D.E. is available on The Irrational Media Society.
