Dry, dusty dub is alive and well in the Dirty Art Club. Composed by producers Madwreck and Matt Cagle, Hexes is the duo’s second release on the slick Phonosaurus Records (Berry Weight, Astrid Engberg). The EP, while replete with seething electronic undertones, sports a refreshing fusion of instrumental hip-hop, lounge and cinema.
Hexes swallows you whole. Much like the deep, ominous vibes of FNDMNTL or Hectic Zeniths, Dirty Art Club doesn’t hesitate to try their hand at a great many musical trades. Sample selection is reminiscent of DJ Shadow, and although the duo makes good use of the recordings, they don’t rely on them to make their sound. Instead, steady beats blend seamlessly with the haunting atmosphere developed by the sordid combination of minor keys, distorted vocals, soothing instrumentals and strange cackling.
The cinematic nature of Hexes is probably the most riveting aspect of the EP. Each listen brought me back to my infatuation with the Ocean’s 11 soundtrack back in 2001, a similarly emotive masterpiece composed by David Holmes. Perhaps it’s due to the subtle nuances that saturate each track, or how the hypnotic soundscapes have the power to entrance without straying far from the source. One thing’s for sure, this EP envelopes and entertains despite its short 22-minute length.
Dirty Art Club has crafted some addictively eccentric sounds in Hexes. While its unconventional approach requires time to penetrate and percolate, the EP provides a twisted journey through the depths of two very radiant minds. If the unearthly cover art gives you any indication, this simply isn’t your everyday electro-trip. Listen and be hypnotized.
Stand out tracks:
“Full Metal Jacket” “Into the Night” “Rosslyn’s Crypt”
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1 comment
Raycord – Ruban-Ruban | Bandcamp's Best says:
Oct 2, 2012
[...] Records has struck gold with this release. Alongside Dirty Art Club and Berry Weight, Raycord makes a solid third artist that I can comfortably say that I am in love [...]