Evolver by Bad Monkey: A Wild Ride Through Techno and Leftfield Vibes
Man, oh man, Evolver by Bad Monkey is one of those albums that sneaks up on you when you least expect it. Released back in 2007 under Transcendental Music Productions (shoutout to Australia for birthing this gem), this electronic beast blends techno with leftfield flavors so effortlessly, it’s like they weren’t even trying. And trust me, I’ve looped this thing more times than I care to admit.
Let’s talk tracks, shall we? First off, there’s “Hillbilly In Space.” Yeah, you read that right—hillbillies. In. Space. It’s as wild as it sounds. The beat kicks in like some futuristic hoedown, all glitchy synths and warped basslines. You can almost picture a cowboy floating weightlessly while twirling his lasso made of laser beams. There’s something about the way the track builds and breaks—it pulls at your gut, like a cosmic tug-of-war between chaos and calm. Every time I hear it, I wanna grab my headphones and blast off into orbit. Like, where do these ideas even come from?
Then there’s “Seeing Stars.” This one hits different. It starts slow, almost dreamy, but don’t let that fool ya. By the halfway mark, it slaps you awake with layers of pulsating rhythms and ethereal pads. It’s not just music; it feels like an experience. Like staring up at the night sky after a long day, feeling small yet connected to everything around you. That’s what makes it stick in my brain—it’s got heart, y’know? Not every song can make you feel both lost and found at the same time.
The rest of the album ain’t no slouch either. Tracks like “New Babylon” and its bonus demo version give you dystopian vibes straight outta a sci-fi flick, while “Lay Your Body Down” brings a softer touch, perfect for chilling out or zoning out completely. Even the quirky ones like “Hminamamama” keep things unpredictable—you never know what’s coming next, which keeps you hooked.
But here’s the kicker: listening to Evolver feels kind of like meeting someone new who turns out to be way cooler than you thought. At first glance, it seems like just another techno album, but once you dive in, it reveals itself bit by bit, leaving little breadcrumbs of awesomeness along the way. By the end, you’re sitting there thinking, “Wait…was that really 2007?” Because honestly, it still bangs today.
Oh, and hey—fun fact: if aliens ever visit Earth, I’m playing them “Hillbilly In Space.” If that doesn’t convince ‘em humans are worth keeping around, nothing will. Just saying.
