Album Review: IllIII by Sqwer – A Sonic Puzzle from the Russian Underground
If you’ve ever wondered what happens when a mad scientist gets their hands on a synthesizer, look no further than IllIII by Sqwer. This 2009 experimental electronic gem hails from Russia and was released under the label Simphonic Silence Inside—a name that sounds like it belongs in a dystopian sci-fi novel (and honestly, so does this album). Clocking in with just three tracks—“MW,” “SWI,” and “SWII”—this record feels less like an album and more like a cryptic audio message beamed straight from another dimension.
Let’s dive into the chaos. First up is “MW.” It’s the kind of track that makes your ears perk up like a caffeinated meerkat. The opening beats are glitchy yet groovy, as if someone chopped up dancefloor bangers and stitched them back together with duct tape. There’s something oddly hypnotic about how disjointed rhythms fight for attention with eerie ambient textures. You’ll either find yourself nodding along or questioning every life choice that led you here. Either way, it sticks with you. I mean, who wouldn’t remember a song that sounds like robots having an existential crisis?
Then there’s “SWI,” which takes things down a darker path. Imagine walking through an abandoned factory at midnight while ghostly whispers echo around you. That’s “SWI” in a nutshell. It builds tension slowly, layering droning synths over sparse percussion until you’re fully immersed in its unsettling atmosphere. By the time the track peaks, you might feel like you’ve been caught sneaking into a secret government lab. Spoiler alert: nothing explodes, but your brain will anyway.
As for “SWII,” let’s just say it ties everything together with even more sonic weirdness. But honestly, after “MW” and “SWI,” my poor brain needed a break. This album doesn’t hold your hand—it throws you into the deep end and expects you to swim.
What makes IllIII stand out isn’t just its experimental nature; it’s the fact that it refuses to fit neatly into any box. Sure, some parts sound like they were recorded during a power outage, but that raw unpredictability is what keeps you coming back. It’s not perfect, but hey, neither is life, right?
In conclusion, listening to IllIII feels like trying to solve a Rubik’s Cube blindfolded—it’s frustrating, mesmerizing, and occasionally brilliant. And if Sqwer ever decides to tour, I hope they bring glow sticks. Or maybe hazmat suits. Who knows with these guys?
