Artist: Emptyset Album: Medium

Year: 2012
Duration: 0:0-1

Deciphering Emptyset's 'Medium'

Emptyset is a Bristol-based audio-visual project whose approach to sound is experimental, challenging, and complex. Their latest release, 'Medium,' is no exception, with six tracks that explore the depths of sonic exploration in the context of minimalist electronic music. In this critical review, we'll delve deeper into Emptyset's music background, the genre of 'Medium,' highlight some of the standout tracks, and delve into what makes this album innovative, while also offering a critical perspective on its strengths and weaknesses.

Emptyset has been around for over a decade, and their sound is heavily influenced by the world of bass music and industrial techno. Originally founded by Paul Purgas and James Ginzburg, they are known for their unconventional use of percussion and bass-heavy rhythms, coupled with their percussive use of spatial acoustics to create an immersive listening experience. According to the duo, 'Medium' was the result of a series of experiments with tuned metal bars and percussions. Their expert manipulation of these sounds reflects a deeper appreciation and engagement with the properties of sound itself and its limitless potential in composition and expression.

The genre of 'Medium' is a fusion of experimental techno, dub-step, and industrial music. The album features six tracks that range from subdued and atmospheric to propelling, pulse-driven bangers. Tracks like 'Axial Tilt' and 'Over' are heavy on industrial and dub-step influences, with rhythmic patterns slowly building up into powerful, dynamic peaks; 'Dissolve,' on the other hand, is a more minimalistic track that showcases the duo's ability to create an immersive soundscape that can transport the listener to another world.

The standout tracks on the album are undoubtedly 'Gate 4' and 'Force.' 'Gate 4' starts off with a repetitive rhythm of percussive metallic notes, setting the stage for a slow atmospheric build-up driven by analog synthesizers and distorted vocal samples. 'Force,' on the other hand, is characterized by its aggressive, machine-gun-like rhythm of bass-heavy notes that drive the track forward like an inexorable force of nature.

Innovatively, Emptyset has always been ahead of its time in the world of experimental push-the-limits electronic music. Their relentless experimentation with sound creates an immersive and hypnotic listening experience that transcends the rudimentary tropes of club music. This is evident in the track 'Petals,' which features intricate manipulations of tuned percussion that create a sense of space and expansive movement that is more reminiscent of a film score than a club track.

Emptyset's 'Medium' is another innovative masterpiece from a sonic pioneer. The album is a bold and striking exploration of the limits of sound manipulation, with standout tracks that showcase the duo's ability to create captivating and immersive soundscapes that are simultaneously experimental and accessible. While the album can be a bit unpredictable and challenging, especially for those not familiar with the more abstract domains of electronic music, it is a testament to the power of experimentation in creating timeless sonic experiences that transcend categorization.