Category Archives: Switched On

Switched On: OGRE Sound – WILDER (OGRE Sound)

Posted on by
Reply

by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

As OGRE Sound, Robin Ogden makes music for imaginary films.

In the case of WILDER, his brief is to explore isolation – or, in his words, ‘daily life as an allergenic catalyst for revolution; the closed community as incubator for human dysfunction’ or – deep breath – ‘the occultation of violent aberrance and taboo pathologies birthed from vicious (sub)urban boredom’.

What’s the music like?

Ogden’s words make more sense when the Ballardian soundscapes stretch out in front of the listener – but this is slow, intense music that reveals its secrets gradually, incrementally, keeping a firm grip on its structure. 

The mind’s eye has a constant picture thanks to Ogden’s descriptive writing, which can move from bleak vistas to richly layered soundscapes.

He employs big percussion for A Devil With His Horns and Wilder, while by contrast some of the shorter numbers prove to be disconcerting interludes. Intensity Is The Love Of The Beholder stretches out with sustained lines and a soft, consoling loop. Crucible is darker, glowering in the half light.

With its solid drum track and slightly quicker tempo, Children Of Revenge has an unmistakable ‘closing credits’ feel.

Does it all work?

It does. If you enjoyed the soundtracks to the likes of Stranger Things or The Rig then you’ll get a good deal from Ogden’s writing here. If anything some of the interludes could have been elongated to make more substantial numbers.

Is it recommended?

Yes – with power and precision, OGRE Sound makes a strong impression.

Switched On: Jessy Lanza – Love Hallucination (Hyperdub)

Posted on by
Reply

by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

Jessy Lanza’s fourth solo album for Hyperdub was originally intended for other people to sing. However during the writing process, the Canadian singer realised the songs were too close to home for anyone else to sing, the lyrics telling of her own life experience.

The seeds for Love Hallucination sown, she set about collaborating with like minded producers, delivering an album commonly agreed to be her most personal work yet.

What’s the music like?

This album hits on a winning combination of club-savvy productions and personal lyrics, giving Jessy Lanza several ways in which she can move her listeners.

Fragility and anxiety are freely discussed and explored – but so are sexual likes and dislikes, relationship dos and don’ts, dreams and fears. All are freely expressed over beats and trim productions sculpted with the help of well-chosen producers such as Pearson Sound, Tensnake and Jacques Greene.

The voice matches the beats beautifully – in Greene’s case setting a nocturnal scene for Midnight Ontario, or with Tensnake delivering disco goodness for Limbo. By contrast the niggly, angst-ridden tales like Big Pink Rose or Don’t Cry On My Pillow get agitated beats to match.

Yet good as the beats are, the voice is the star – and Lanza’s cool delivery is distinctive but also an instrument that communicates her thoughts and feelings with unerring clarity.

Does it all work?

It does – this music is cool to the touch but full of expression. The urban soundscapes work a treat too.

Is it recommended?

It is. An album that mixes club sensibilities and tales that tell of deeply felt, first hand experience.

On Record – Various Artists: Come Together: Adventures On The Indie Dancefloor 1989-1992 (Cherry Red)

Posted on by
Reply

by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

A generous 4-CD compilation from Cherry Red, billed as a celebration of the Madchester / baggy scene and the Indie-dance crossover.

If you were anywhere near Radio 1 or even Radio 5 in the early 1990s you will have known about the influence this scene had on the singles charts, but Cherry Red are looking at it from the perspective of the clubs. With that in mind the tracks here are presented unmixed and mostly in 12″ form.

What’s the music like?

This is a buoyant collection to raise many smiles among listeners who were there at the time…but will surely serve as the ideal way in to the curious first-timers.

The big hits take care of themselves – Happy Mondays‘ Step On, The Charlatans‘ Indian Rope and Stone Roses‘ Fools Gold are pure Manchester gold. That’s before you consider Inspiral Carpets, James (via the mixing desk of Andrew Weatherall) and Primal Scream (via Terry Farley)

That the scene crossed over to Ibiza is clear from the inclusion of 808 State‘s Pacific State and The Beloved’s The Sun Rising. Shoegaze classics abound too, from Chapterhouse and Spacemen 3 – or leaner, more direct efforts from the likes of Carter USM and Pop Will Eat Itself.

While it’s great to have the well known classics, the bubbles from beneath the surface are even more valuable. Lesser known names such as Paris Angels, The Wendys, Sinister Groove and New Fast Automatic Daffodils prove their worth too.

Does it all work?

It does – and the breadth of styles means that this is a collection to dip into over and over again. It also has the added value of putting overplayed radio hits back in their best context. The Mock Turtles‘ Can You Dig It? is a prime example!

Is it recommended?

Wholeheartedly. As a snapshot of a euphoric time in British music history, Come Together works an absolute treat.

Let’s Dance – Joyhauser: In Memoro (Terminal M)

Posted on by
Reply

by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

After three well-received singles in Wasted, Liberty and Bassdrone, Joyhauser release their debut album. The Belgian duo have spent three years honing their craft, building a strong following underground – but now is the time to put their heads above the parapet and show their true worth.

What’s the music like?

There is some thrilling dancefloor action on In Memoro.

Leben is a powerful opening track, a brooding slower number that catches light halfway through as synth lines flicker like lightning. The coiled spring energy is emphatically released in the quickly paced LXR02, a dark chocolate number with tough beats and a strong workout for the synths.

Elsewhere the combination of minimal but probing synth lines and sharply edged beats yields plenty of rewards. Bassdrone and Liberty are both dancefloor thrillers, and each track brings something to the table.

Does it all work?

Yes. Excitement levels remain high throughout!

Is it recommended?

It is. An excellent debut that bodes well for the future.

Listen

Buy

Switched On: Jayda G – Guy (Ninja Tune)

Posted on by
Reply

by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

Jayda G’s new opus is an intensely personal tale. Since her last album was released, the Canadian singer-songwriter has seen a surge in popularity bringing her high profile remixes and DJ sets, not to mention gigs. It has also seen her marry her childhood sweetheart in the same house where her parents were married.

The story here is much more about them than her – and specifically her father, William Richard Guy, whose voice can be heard in the spoken word interludes surrounding the music. The music itself is all about him, too, tracking his upbringing in Kansas, brushes with local gangs and the authority, splitting with his wife on return from a stint in Vietnam and moving to Washington. From there he moved to Canada, where he remarried and Jayda was born.

Jayda tells the story through pop music, though is more than happy to bring in house, funk and soul to enrich the musical flavour.

What’s the music like?

As above – pop music with extra colour and spice. Jayda writes with clean lines and has a cool vocal delivery, but these are beautifully worked nuggets that work in several contexts. House music fans will love the tempo and energy, lovers of soul will appreciate the deeper moments and the connection to the heart that she finds with her lyrics and vocals.

Pure pop music fans, meanwhile, will delight in the sharply observed lyrics, the hooks on which the music comfortably hangs, the sleek production and the riffs aplenty. What also helps a load here is the way Jayda clearly enjoys her role, and the personal input she gives to tell her story as vividly as possible.

There are many highlights, but a special mention should be made for Heads Or Tails, with its sharply observed pop and house music edge, Jayda G delivering typically cool vocals. Meanwhile Your Thoughts is an excellent power pop song, faultlessly delivered.

Does it all work?

It does. The ebb and flow here is spot on, the movement towards house music only heightens the pop sensibility, and there is a good groove at every turn.

Is it recommended?

It certainly is. This is music that is personal to Jayda G, but it will resonate deeply with any listener making the effort to get involved.

Listen

Buy