Audio Noir

Album Review

A dark vision permeates Octavius' Mush Records debut, Audio Noir. Using augmented samples, processed live instruments and vocals, and software-based editing techniques, Octavius builds a disorienting and foreboding collection of sci-fi soundtrack music ("Monochrome"), avant rock, and electronic hip-hop (the Tricky-esque "Speed Limit"). His work can drift like ambient Brian Eno pieces (the beautiful "Surprisingly Concerned With One Another"), distort with abrasive freakouts ("Cellophane"), or pummel with Nine Inch Nails beats and aggression ("Vacant/Panic"). In some ways it's reminiscent of the mind-boggling cut-ups of DJ Shadow and DJ Q-Bert — but Octavius is a hip-hop producer and noise musician, not a scratch artist. Another useful reference point is RJD2, particularly when it comes to Octavius' similar use of atmospheric, movie score sounds ("Momentum/Parisian War Song"). But, RJD2 has a knack for pop and body-moving song structures that seem to hold no interest for Octavius. Fans looking for catchy hip-hop should search elsewhere (OutKast's Speakerboxxx is unbeatable), but for a sinister, elaborately experimental and cerebral take on hip-hop, Octavius has got it all tied up.