Work of the Month #5: Oval - "94 Diskont"

cornbb

AMG Review:

94 Diskont is undoubtedly a standout in the field of electronically advanced, glitch-heavy music. In addition to having clear resonance with those primarily interested in process, this record resides in an autonomous and highly aesthetic sonic universe, where bits of production and granulated noise easily melt into warm, repetitive arrangements. 94 Diskont was made with a lot of productive mediation and gadgetry, but the seams don't show. The textures are thick and the melodies are challenging, nowhere more so than on the epic opening track "Do While." At 24 minutes, Oval take their time, but this is deep listening, and anything shorter just wouldn't do. A distant and fractured bell sound competes with a decaying, four-note organ swell for the majority of the song, while clicks and unidentified manipulations make their way in and out of the mix. Rhythm and melody emerge from unexpected places. What you initially take to be white noise settles into an odd but discernible pattern. The clicks between a skipping CD become an essential part of "Shop in Store." But perhaps even more impressive is when rhythm and melody barely emerge at all. The uncommon range of 94 Diskont is indeed one of its most powerful qualities.

An excerpt from Do While:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpWU_Nrwe10

Although I like this album, I don't know much about it and I haven't listened to it enough to form an opinion of it beyond "I like it". Maybe someone else would like to write a few words about it in context?

JC 2K3

I dunno how to describe it, but it's one of my favourite albums of all time. Just beautiful, evolving glitchiness...

tonyhiggins

+100

I'm a huge fan of this album...

Anima

Yeah I like it. When I first listened to it, it didn't sound that different to any other idm/glitch album but on repeated listens its really grown on me. It sounds very organic to me, like every element is meant to be where it is. A solid album, very well produced and very easy to listen to.