ALBUM REVIEW: Data Diamond – Four Stroke Baron

FOUR STROKE BARON have been bold with their new full-length release Data Diamond. The Reno duo initially planned to release two separate EPs, one focused strictly on their electronic endeavours (Data) and one leaning more towards their heavier side (Diamond), but in the process of writing and recording these separate releases the decision was made to meld the two together into Data Diamond. It’s a move that could easily have ended messily – and it wouldn’t be unfair to say that the finished result is wildly erratic at times, given the elements they attempt to integrate – but the confidence and individuality that comes through in their combining of these disparate sounds is more structured and brilliant than it might appear at a first glance.

The duality of Data Diamond is immediately obvious on the opening two tracks, with the eerie electronic swell of On Mute sharply dropping into the outrageously heavy and discordant Monday. You have to hand it to FOUR STROKE BARON for starting the record in this manner, which sees them showcasing dark synth vibes à la PERTURBATOR and a DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN-esque mania within the first eight minutes. It’s a sink-or-swim moment as a listener – later tracks on Data Diamond become far easier to parse, but their commitment to bewilderment early on has to be applauded.

Things take a turn toward the (slightly) more sensical on The Witch. The energy of the previous track is still present, but on this single the brilliance of Data Diamond starts to shine through. There’s an almost TURNSTILE quality to the grunge-pop vocals and guitar structure that continues throughout the album, which might seem at odds with the other comparisons previously levied. It’s an often-puzzling mix of styles – but when it works, it’s glorious.

VALLTT/Open The World see FOUR STROKE BARON pivot back towards more electronic sounds, interspersed with heavy bass and spoken word sections. Just when you think the duo can’t surprise any further, the mid-point of Open The World changes yet again with the incorporation of modulated female vocals that come and go at a moment’s notice, changing the composition and tempo for brief but brilliant periods.

Although it’s become somewhat of a dirty term by some, it’s very hard to listen to People In My Image (and a lot of Data Diamond) without being reminded of nu-metal. The mix of pop-punk vivaciousness, grunge vocals, progressive metal, and electronic ingredients make it start to head in the direction of nu-metal, with the refrains of “Like this, like this” on the chorus being straight out of the LIMP BIZKIT playbook. With that being said, it’s hard to listen to Data Diamond and feel like it fits comfortably in with any genre – that’s a big part of what makes it feel so fresh and interesting.

Data Diamond is a melange of organised chaos that sees FOUR STROKE BARON wearing their sheer outlandishness with pride. Moreover, Data Diamond is as accomplished as it is fun, and as innovative as it is energetic. After the pandemonium that opens the album, the real genius of their clashing stylistic pursuits begins to shine through, revealing a real competency and craft behind the mish-mash of sounds that they (successfully) attempt to combine.

Rating: 8/10

Data Diamond is out now via Prosthetic Records.

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