Notnow000 – M5 – M8
Notnow000 is an experiment derivative IDM producer from New York, New York. Using AI to generate and arrange IDM, the results are no different than the countless producers who predate him that generated IDM in the same manner. Both sonically inconsistent and harmonically devoid of life, notnow000 generates a tonne of interesting ideas on M5 – M8, but arranges them far too inorganically.
The opener, I was a mess… is rather reflective of the following material on M5 – M8. The song is composed of random noises, assorted with very little melodic reasoning and far too much dissonance. Like other AI generated pieces of work, it fails to elicit a response from the listener, and often sounds incongruent. That’s not to say the sound design isn’t aesthetically pleasing, as it is on tracks such as Deserted Beach in the Early Morning on Sunday and Heart, but the lack of harmony often sounds far too jarring and insipidly dull. There are many brilliant moments that are unfortunately feebly tied together. Moreover, the creative blends of muddy pianos on Death Circus and glitchy instrumentation on 22 are great ideas; just poorly executed. Criticisms aside, there are certain times where nownow000 surprisingly exceeds. Unnie blends melodic harmonies with dissimilar beats, yet the pay-off is more satisfying as the progressions are unexpected and their rhythmic elements more substantial. Secondly, there’s barely a melody on M51, but its cryptic, vivid soundscape is indisputably captivating. Unironically, the little bees is one of the most fulfilling songs, despite being 47 seconds long and devoid of electronica. Despite these achievements, bland tracks such as The Anvil Upon the Prism of Winter and Keymash still drag the overall experience down.
There are many artists who have used dissonance to a profound effect, such as Royal Trux, because the accompanying noise is undeniably absorbing; though the compositions on M5 – M8 feel far too thin. Furthermore, the album sounds rushed. While there’s certainly more to be explored in the realm of harmonically dissonant IDM, the interesting notes themselves can’t be the main driving force. No matter how interesting they may sound, unless they are composed in an interesting manner, they go to waste. A simple guitar interweaving through the notes could go a long way, as could a more dynamic tempo. Rearranged, M5 – M8 could be a masterpiece, but for now it’s simply an interesting start to nownow000’s discography.
Below Average
Listen to it here:
Notnow000 – M5 – M8
