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Experimental: 0bn0xious - The Anti Musical Garbage Can (2024)



74 / 100
A solid experimental EP, especially appealing to Aphex Twin listeners and the like.
The modern era, which seems increasingly easier, doesn’t always lead people to reach utopia or a heavenly life. The development of psychology actually shows that the human mind in this age is very fragile, including artists who then express their psychological side through their works. This is also the case with the experimental/electronic project 0bn0xious through the EP The Anti Musical Garbage Can.

0bn0xious was born in UK with four releases since 2022, and this EP became the fifth, released under Borenail Records in April 2024. The production stretched from 2022 to 2024 in his struggle against depression together with Samuel Gibbs, who handled sampling, mangling, and other parts. Since the recording timeline and the added elements are written separately and under two different entities, I assume that Samuel Gibbs is not the person behind this project.

Samuel said that this release is simple, and I agree. The EP opens with a lo-fi sound interspersed with surprising hit effects, then continues with the longest ambient-based track, “#46788432@_-7+)).” Don’t be surprised by the track titles here. I myself thought it would be typical vaporwave when I saw the statue head on the album cover. But indeed, it must be remembered that this is part of the Borenail Records catalog, which focuses on experimental music.

Well, that second track is the best track here, and the addition of experimental sounds like synth tearing plus echoing beats is still within a normal comfort range for the ears. Meanwhile, the next four tracks have a more modern character, like a sandwich. The two pieces of bread are electronic beat-driven tracks with added vocals. The bottom bread plays more casually, like hip-hop, with the most vocal portion. The filling is two kinds of synthwave waves, with the fourth track “#36897432” acting like an interlude leading to the next track, which uses beats and reverb that result in the only clipping noise in this EP.

So, once again, there’s better appreciation compared to previous experiences with this release, but unfortunately, it still doesn’t change the best track candidate. The sounds in The Anti Musical Garbage Can are not that much of “garbage”. It's still enjoyable, especially for fans of Aphex Twin and similar artists.

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