The High Life by Andrew Kilpatrick: A Chiptune Punch to the Face
Alright, let’s get one thing straight—The High Life isn’t just another electronic album. This 2012 NoiseChannel release slaps you awake with its raw chiptune energy. Andrew Kilpatrick doesn’t mess around here; he dives headfirst into bleeps, bloops, and basslines that feel like they were ripped straight outta some dystopian arcade. If you’re looking for chill vibes or background noise, this ain’t it. This is an in-your-face experience.
First up, “Feeding The War Machine.” Holy crap, does this track hit hard. It’s got this relentless beat that feels like a machine gun on overdrive—no joke. The layers build faster than you can keep up, throwing synth stabs at your ears like shrapnel. You don’t listen to this track; you survive it. Every time I hear it, I’m reminded why chiptune isn’t dead—it’s evolving into something ferocious. Kilpatrick makes sure you feel every pulse, every glitch, like it’s rewiring your brain.
Then there’s “Ixlandx (The XX Cover).” Yeah, yeah, covers are usually lame, but not this one. He takes The XX’s moody vibe and flips it on its head, injecting it with neon chaos. The melody’s still there, lurking underneath, but now it’s wearing spiked armor. It’s weird how he makes it both nostalgic and totally fresh at the same time. By the end, you’re left wondering if The XX ever imagined their song could sound this dangerous.
But honestly, what sticks with me most about The High Life is how unapologetically aggressive it is. There’s no filler, no soft moments to catch your breath. It’s like Kilpatrick said, “Screw subtlety,” and went full throttle. And damn, it works.
Here’s the kicker though—listening to this album feels like stepping into a time machine that breaks halfway through. One second you’re in 2012, the next you’re lost in some retro-futuristic fever dream. Maybe that’s the point. Or maybe Kilpatrick just wanted to blow our minds. Either way, mission freakin’ accomplished.
Final thought? This album’s not for everyone. But if you’ve got a taste for chaos wrapped in pixels, The High Life might just ruin other music for you. Not sorry.
