Album Review: Autre Ne Veut - Age of Transparency
By Thalia Badio, Contributor
[Downtown Records; 2015]
Rating: 2/5
Key Tracks: “On and On,” “Never Wanted"
Arthur Ashin, the voice behind funky electronic sound of Autre Ne Veut (meaning “I want no other”) returns in his new album Age of Transparency, after receiving critical acclaim for his first record, 2013’s Anxiety. His album features his experimental passions in the wild collision of sound that is Autre Ne Veut.
Ashin incorporates several different genres and sounds in his record--modern staccato drum-beats, classical jazz piano, deep resonating bass tones, synthesized snaps and chorus voice, all harmonized by Ashin’s breathy distant vocals. At times, the mixture of sound is jarring and clunky especially in the song “Panic Room,” justly named. Occasionally though, Ashin is able to find harmony in his album, like in the song “On and On,” a beautiful combination of traditional double bass sound and funky strained vocals.
Another interesting element incorporated into Age of Transparency is Ashin’s complete disregard for the standard form of songwriting. Gone are the ideas of chorus, refrain and hook. Most of the songs on the album seem as if they are completely written in chorus; there is a constant heightened energy as the music blends, changes and crashes into sound. Finally the music fades away in a drifting release.
The lyrics of Ashin’s music are perhaps the best part of his album, especially the final words of his remake titled “World War Pt.
II,” which compares an abusive codependent relationship to a devastating battle. “And this is goodbye / Don’t wanna think darling / Don’t disobey / And you promised you wanted to be.”
Ultimately, Age of Transparency is such a random mix of genres and sounds, that it’s hard to actively listen to any one aspect of the music at one time, making it incomprehensible. While confusing, applause must be given for Ashin’s experimental spirit and idea. Age of Transparency is a truly complex and deceptive piece.
