Understanding Tedium: An Intriguing Dive into Preparation Hate’s Sonic Landscape
Released in 2013, Understanding Tedium by Preparation Hate is a bold exploration of electronic music that blends Electro, IDM (Intelligent Dance Music), and Coldwave with impressive finesse. Self-released under the label Not On Label (Nattymari Self-released), this US-based project carves out a niche for itself with its brooding soundscapes and intricate production. The album doesn't just sit in the background—it grabs your attention, shakes it up, and leaves you thinking.
The tracklist includes nine songs, each offering something distinct yet cohesive. Among these tracks, two stand out as particularly memorable: "Underlying Asshole" and "Valley Of 8."
"Underlying Asshole" hits hard right from the start. Its pulsating beats feel like they’re mocking you, while eerie synths create an unsettling atmosphere. There's a rawness to the track—a sense of frustration or rebellion—that sticks with you long after the song ends. It’s not perfect, but maybe that’s the point? This isn’t polished pop; it’s gritty and real, like someone shouting their inner chaos into a microphone. You can almost picture the artist hunched over their equipment late at night, letting loose without caring what anyone thinks.
On the flip side, “Valley Of 8” brings a more hypnotic vibe. With its layered rhythms and glitchy textures, the track feels like wandering through a digital labyrinth. About halfway through, there’s this moment where everything drops out except for a single, haunting melody. It’s simple, sure, but man, does it work. The Sir Walter Bangs Mix version adds even more depth, stretching out the original’s ideas into something dreamier and darker all at once. If “Underlying Asshole” is anger bottled up, then “Valley Of 8” is introspection spilling over.
Other tracks like “Warning” and “Scared Handshake” also hold their own, though they don’t leave quite the same impression. Still, they contribute to the overall mood of the album—cold, calculated, and occasionally chaotic. It’s clear Preparation Hate has a knack for crafting sounds that challenge listeners rather than simply entertain them.
What makes Understanding Tedium so interesting is how unapologetically experimental it is. Some parts are jarring, others soothing, and a few downright weird—but isn’t that kind of the beauty of IDM and Electro? It’s music that refuses to fit neatly into boxes, much like life itself.
In reflecting on this album, I’m reminded of those late-night drives when nothing makes sense, but somehow everything feels okay. Maybe that’s why Preparation Hate chose such abrasive titles—they know life ain’t always sunshine and rainbows. And honestly? That’s refreshing. So here’s to Understanding Tedium: imperfect, unforgettable, and utterly human. Who knew tedium could sound so alive?
