EP REVIEW: Digital Negative – Digital Negative
From the past year, amongst the waves of setback and confusion, there have emerged revitalised and recharged conceptions. One of these being the newly-formed electronic/industrial duo DIGITAL NEGATIVE, comprising musical experimentalists Richard Johnson and Daniel Euphrat. This month sees the release of their short-but-sharp eponymous debut EP that will give their eagerly tuned-in listeners a taste of what happens when the convoluted crania of these two artists combine.
Track one is entitled Strange Loop, which could arguably account for the whole playlist, as the tracks present a conundrum of electronic, metal and DnB madness unlike what the average fan of any of these genres may have heard. There is a catchy and captivating feel to this opener however, as its repetitive soundbites act as a preparatory trial into the warped electronica ahead.
Leading us into Self Crash, which immediately summons a deeply distorted metal current, evolving into a teeth-grinding DnB riff that just hurls the track to the end. Johnson and Euphrat seem to have a way of titling their tracks with the exact phrase that encapsulates their formula. Whichever way you interpret a ‘self crash’ – whether that be a person uncontrollably tumbling down a hill or reaching a state of exhaustion at an alarming speed, this track is its anthem.
Next track Stock Fetish again emanates exactly what it says on the tin. Its very algorithmic and experimental sound paints an image of digital phenomena constantly flashing. Corporate Body acts as its supplementary soundbite as, at only two minutes long, it similarly drives the listener into an extended journey of industrial indulgence, but this one has a dance element to it. The metaphorical ‘body’ that comes from the title is the vehicle that gets it up on its feet.
Johnson’s vocals throughout the record are theatrical and unapologetic, and during closing track Tense Motion they are designed to instil fear yet motivate at the same time. The track exudes the aura of the clock ticking and something shutting down, and so it is the adequate ending to this mission in EP form. The track finishes on an abrupt note which makes the experience all the more perplexing; you are left wondering what the hell you just listened to but you’re intrigued to know more about this kind of music.
Artists like DIGITAL NEGATIVE who dare to cross boundaries and keep creative juices flowing even in times of hardship are what make the art of music ever-evolving, and what convinces more fans to venture further.
Rating: 7/10
Digital Negative is out now via Hostile 1 Tapes.
Like DIGITAL NEGATIVE on Bandcamp.