Oval - Scis (Review)
The musical embodiment of overcomplicated...
17th January 2020
Independent
My Rating:
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5.0
/10
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REVIEW
Manic, glitchy electronics and irregularly pulsating dancefloor rhythms combine with distinct, playful melodies to create a sometimes overwhelmingly fun but dense album. On Scis, veteran electronic producer Oval continues his adventures into sounds weird and wonderful with a messy, overcrowded but joyous new album that's just about as easy to lose your place in as it is to enjoy.
Oval takes a typically maximalistic approach in crafting this busy record, cramming far too many elements into a mix that's at its best when you can feel any amount of space and is at its worst on a song like "Robussy", which completely forgoes any real melody for a convoluted mess that is only somewhat resolved by its repetitive drum section. It's a huge step down from the opening "Twirror", a track that's strong melody gave enough order in the chaos for the song to actually function, something that this entire album struggles to do.
Elsewhere, the struggles continue, but there are moments that shine through such as the track "Pushhh", its vocal samples functioning as the guiding light from which the abstract instrumental becomes far easier to follow, even at its most obtuse as the track builds to a raging tangle of sounds and ideas. The album peaks at "Mikk" though, a standout for its darker textures and ominous piano section, the latter helping to ground the sonic assault that this instrumental is whilst the former makes for a unique vibe not felt on the rest of the album.
TRACK RATINGS (/10)
1. Twirror - 8
2. Robussy - 3
3. Fluoresso - 5
4. Pushhh - 6
5. Impecco - 6
6. Cozzmo - 7
7. Improg - 8
8. Mikk - 9
9. Oxagon - 6
10. Piqqo - 7
BREAKDOWN
Ambition: 9
Atmosphere: 3
Catchiness/Enjoyability: 4
Content/Ideas: 8
Emotion/Engaging: 3
Execution: 5
Production: 4
Structure: 4
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Aesthetic: 6
Arrangements: 4
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Total: 50
Watch the music video for "Improg"
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