Album Review: How To Get In by Various
Released in 2016 on the Italian label Denied Area, How To Get In is an intriguing dive into the fringes of electronic music. This compilation brings together a mix of Drone, Experimental, Noise, and Ambient styles, creating an experience that feels both alienating and oddly comforting. With its raw textures and unpredictable soundscapes, it’s not your typical "easy listen," but that's exactly what makes it memorable.
The album kicks off with “16_9” (or is it “16:9”? The dual naming adds to the mystery). This track sets the tone right away—a slow-burning drone layered with faint glitches and distorted echoes. It feels like staring at static on an old TV screen late at night, except instead of boredom, you're gripped by curiosity. There's something hypnotic about how the sounds swell and recede, almost as if they’re breathing. If you’ve ever wondered what digital anxiety might sound like, this could be it.
Another standout is “Lost In Confusion” (or maybe “Lost in Confusion”—the inconsistency keeps you guessing). Unlike the cold detachment of “16_9,” this one leans more into ambient territory, offering a warmer yet equally disorienting vibe. The layers here are dense, with soft pads colliding against sharp, metallic tones. It’s chaotic but controlled, like being lost in thought while walking through a crowded city. You can’t help but get pulled into its swirling vortex. Honestly, I kept coming back to this track because it felt like it had secrets to tell—if only I listened closely enough.
The production quality deserves a nod too. Mastered by Luigi Cicchella, the album maintains a cohesive feel despite its experimental nature. And let’s not forget Marco Casino’s cover art—it perfectly mirrors the unsettling beauty within. It’s minimalistic yet striking, much like the music itself.
What strikes me most about How To Get In is how unapologetically niche it is. This isn’t background music for dinner parties; it demands attention, sometimes even discomfort. But therein lies its charm. Listening to it feels like peeking behind a curtain into a world where rules don’t apply.
And hey, fun fact—or maybe not so fun—this record will make you question whether you’re hearing things correctly. Is that noise intentional? Did they really name two tracks almost identically? Who knows. Maybe that’s the point.
In the end, How To Get In isn’t just an album—it’s an experience. Just don’t expect answers. Sometimes, confusion is the whole idea.
