A riveting amalgam of all things abnormal yet dauntingly tethered to shifting and surreal downbeat dynamics.
A riveting amalgam of all things abnormal
A half dozen tracks released on the ever dependable Heterodox imprint sees toka. present blistering electronics from the outer edges. Darkness pervades these captivating pieces; opening with a densely packed “Stress Fracture” and its smoldering industrial mechanism sets the tone for what lurks around the corner. “Choke” delivers a clustered and claustrophobic beat shuffle with Burial-infused 2-step style shenanigans; alive, pulsing, and a fidgeting sonic organism. The release notes that toka.’s “live performances combine a variety of digital and analog equipment to weave a mix of digital looping, live play and FX,” and one can clearly hear that throughout Abnormal Things. Broken beats and rhythmic charges are in full force; “Abandon All Hope” and “Covering Of Ash” are essential highlights bringing it all together as ethereal echoes and strangely isolated soundscapes are often brooding. Fractured noises are on full display with “Pummeler” pummeling the listener with disheveled braindance and percussive jolts while the closing “Failing Voltage” continues its lively rave infestation. A riveting amalgam of all things abnormal yet dauntingly tethered to shifting and surreal downbeat dynamics.
Abnormal Things is available on Heterodox. [Bandcamp]
