AnachronicXP "Nervomoteur"
A dynamic and exciting blend of hip hop beatz and electronic sensibilities. Dark and bouncy in all the best ways.

Hailing from Quebec City, AnachronicXP combine hip hop grooves and a dark ambient sensibility to create some of the freshest sounds I've heard in a while coming from the electronic genre. It's a really nice blend of ideals and it works effectively well on their "Nervomoteur" disc where sound sources mix and match in unusual but successful ways.

Track one, "Inscriptif", features a funky beat that plays along with a voice-over detailing the technical details of a CD player. Jazzy piano and organ loops weave in and out throughout the track, creating a groove laden work that appeals both cerebrally and physically. Very nice.

The start of "L'altercation" uses steady and deep bass tones contrasted by high hat percussion to create an air of darkness and menace. Slide guitar and the occasional big beat follows, succeeding nicely in adding to the tension.

"Coliformes" is a laidback groove, a particularly chilled track that uses brush drums and repeated loops to draw the listener into a slow and steady vibe. Very nice work that would fit in nicely in any back room space, perhaps my favorite track on the disc.

"Flacon" is a deep and cinematic track that employs deep pads and drones paired with heavy percussion during it's first half, only to change tones and mood completely during the second half into a beat fueled track filled with choked tones and repeated phrases.

"The Feeling of Desire" opens up as a melancholy piano piece, other tones and sounds slowly being added to the mix to create a completely defined environment that brings to mind "Liquid"-era Recoil. A very effective and engaging track.

"Recomposition" is an unsettling track that begins with a sample of a 911 hold message that leads into other police band voices and samples. It's disturbing to say the least, an exercise in uncomfortable exposure. Not exactly the way I would like to end the disc, but certainly in keeping with the band's ability to create atmosphere and environment.

AnachronicXP have done an excellent job in bringing together sound sources and ideas on the "Nervomoteur" EP, crafting a disc that straddles a variety of styles, effectively finding a place for itself in all of them. There's a lot to discover on this disc, and I have faith that it will appeal to a variety of audiences.

rik - ping things