Kron – Silikron

i've seen some people claiming RV's slowing down of bits from 80's music he often did in the late 90s predates what became known as 'vaporwave' today, but as far as im aware vaporwave's treatment of melody, aesthetics and sound is all about going for obvious chill neon vibes to sleep/relax to. and whilst Premiere World can give a similar impression with its spacey slowed down rhodes with subtle grim undertones, the artist's output as Kron is the proof that his goal wasn't simple easy listening shit. it's not that either Gold Und Liebe or this one are any darker whatsoever (for that you have his stuff as Sturm), they're simply weirder. choices are bolder. there's no apparent reason for Voigt to have looped the tune on the first track the way he did: its designed to sound broken. same with the fifth track, on which a silly disjointed synth spilling random notes on top of the self collapsing beat makes the whole thing borderline annoying. the eight track, built around a sample probably lifted off from some silly synthesizer record from the 70s, drains the novelty out of it with its relentless looping and sluggish pace. and the last track, the record's only attempt at space, is made with a plain indecipherable sample that doesnt sound one bit cute, nor relaxing, not even spacey enough with its out of context drums and creepy animal sounds (which are actually crickets at the right speed). its double length only doubles its menace. a somber note the records end with which contrasts with the vibe in tracks 2 to 5 on which grooves and loops are actually straightforward and they wouldnt be out of place in any dance or chill-out mix for the common listener. overall impressions? strange tunes, some serviceable, some challenging, which could definitely surpass expectations thanks to its odd turns, even with its spare production. harvest releasing this probably believing they had the next alternative techno bangers secured is definitely worth a laugh. either that or they really wanted to release eccentric musical statements.