(10.09.05) 10162003 is the cryptically titled debut release from one of the
newest additions to the Nophi Recordings imprint, Kalx. Based out of
Florida like much of his label-mates and electronic peers, Kalx brings
a depth of texture and focus to the otherwise playful output of Nophi.
Kalx fuses elements of dub, drum & bass, and hip-hop in a gritty mix
that resembles a thick dark fog. The rhythm syncopation accents the
heavy low-end that left my head nodding with a dirty swing all
throughout the release. The beats are eroded and heavily processed.
Much like his label-mates, Kalx accentuates the mix with 8-bit melodies
through ethereal reverb that smooths and evens out the frequency
spectrum. Few, if any, individual elements stick out of place,
creating a sense of purpose and progression, as if Kalx was telling us
a story of urban life in the geek heart of Sin City. 10162003 is a
wall of finely tuned rhythms of texture.
The opening track, “Tamdemica,” sets the tone for the sonic assault to
follow. Deep tones and harmonics ask questions of dub, giving way to
ethereal synth responses that explode into rhythms reminiscent of
Aphex Twin’s seminal Drukqs release. The rhythms move in and out of
heavy syncopation, centering around the hip-hop influenced kicks.
“Elastik” is the soundtrack to a cyberpunk film-noir, riding through
city streets and mental atmospheres. The next track, “Delete,”
centers around a frenetic beat underneath ambient melodies. “Speck”
begins subdued and soothing, but the calm rises to a fever pitch as
the Caustic Window inspired beats rain down at 170 bpm. “Solar Chirp”
stays true to its name as hallucinatory pitch-bent pads blanket a
pronounced and punctuated rhythm soup that never quite falls apart.
“Oranga” pays tribute to ambient drum & bass in the LTJ Bukem vein
while throwing in a few psychedelic sparkles. “Zoide” slows it down
with an 80s hip hop beat layered atop a calm bell melody. “Flack Ask”
lashes back, throwing many microsounds at a quirky swing rhythm
underneath slow filtered pads. “Manah” keeps up the pace with a
similar theme that brings the listener into a space war that lies
inside your computer’s circuits. “Aplasia” closes the album with a
much subdued rhythm section that steps aside and lets the atmospheric
harmonies write the final chapter of this release.
10162003 is a worthy debut from Kalx. It nudges shoulders with
glitchtronic mainstays like Larvae, Autechre, and Beefcake while
stealing from none.
10162003 is out now on Nophi.
