Album Review: Devices by Various – A Wild Ride Through Electronic Soundscapes
Alright, buckle up. If you’re into electronic music that feels like it was cooked up in some shadowy UK basement circa 2000, then Devices is your jam. Released on the Resounds label, this album doesn’t just dabble in Breaks, Techno, and Abstract vibes—it dives headfirst into them like a kid cannonballing into a pool. And let me tell ya, it’s messy, weird, and kinda beautiful.
Now, with tracks like “False Memory” and “Battles 1 & 2,” you get why this thing sticks in your brain. “False Memory” kicks things off with these glitchy beats that feel like they’re malfunctioning on purpose. It's moody but not too serious, like someone whispering secrets to you through static. You can almost picture neon lights flickering over an empty street while this plays. It sets the tone perfectly—part eerie, part hypnotic.
Then there’s “Battles 1 & 2.” This one’s wild. Imagine two robots fighting each other using only broken drum machines and distorted synths as weapons. There’s no clear winner here; it’s more about the chaos of the fight itself. Every time I hear it, I think of those old-school arcade games where everything’s pixelated and slightly out of control. It’s chaotic energy done right.
The rest of the album keeps the vibe going strong. Tracks like “Voodoo Frenzi” bring this tribal techno pulse, while “Katana” slices through with sharp, minimalistic breaks. Oh, and don’t sleep on “Devices 3 (Loop)” or “Devices 4”—they sound like what happens when machines dream at night. Weirdly soothing? Yeah, maybe.
But here’s the kicker: for all its abstract experimentation, Devices never loses its human touch. Sure, it sounds futuristic, but beneath the layers of loops and bleeps, there’s something raw and real. Maybe it’s nostalgia for a time when electronic music still felt dangerous and uncharted. Or maybe it’s just how damn catchy “Barking Dogs” is despite sounding like actual dogs losing their minds.
So yeah, if you’re looking for background noise, skip this one. But if you want an album that grabs you by the ears and shakes you around a bit, Devices has got you covered. Honestly, listening to it feels like finding an old mixtape from a friend who knew exactly how to mess with your head. And isn’t that what great music should do?
P.S. Fun fact: I once tried to DJ with “Battles 1 & 2” at a party, and everyone stared at me like I’d lost my mind. Worth it though.
