Fil OK - Electronic Pop - UK
A lot of artists tend to forget that one of the most important aspects of an album/show/song/whatever is the necessity to create an “experience,” as opposed to just something to pass the time. The best records that you consistently return to withstand this test of time because they provide a higher level of entertainment than that which stems simply from some perfunctory choruses and breakdowns stapled together. The best music seamlessly weaves lyrics, concept and melody together to create a whole other world in which we can immerse ourselves. Of course, this is no easy feat, but prolific electronic artist Fil OK was more than ready to take on the challenge with his new release.
“Electropolis,” Fil OK’s third solo full length album, is ambitious, dense and completely unique—a true 45-minute experience into another world, offering twelve traditional tracks and two bonus cuts for anyone willing to invest themselves in the project. The concept is certainly high-brow, but never borders on pretention. “Electropolis” is a futuristic megacity that can fully sustain itself on a natural source of electricity, but it isn’t at all like New York City. Sure, there are huge skyscrapers, crowded streets and labyrinths of buildings, but there are also natural coves and beaches scattered throughout the area. “Worlds within worlds, boulevards of hidden pleasures,” says Fil OK. Sign me up, please.
First, we move into “The Cosmos,” a perfect opening composition for what’s to follow, layered with electronic beeps and computer processing noise; it’s almost as if the city itself is a program loading itself for your to experience. “Coliseum” gives us a great introductory glimpse into the true talent of Fil OK, with its energetic, bumping beat and dynamic contrasts in the loud opening and restrained bridge. Each of the fourteen tracks on “Electropolis” are noticeably complex, boasting layers upon layers of subtle arrangements and tonal boosts. “Land of Promise” is an amazingly interesting song that can only be given the justice it deserves through the use of headphones. Not until then can you hear the entirety of the “Electropolis” soundscape.
The second half of the album is slightly less assertive of its complexity, with “World Within World” taking the volume to a new low and becoming one of the most chilled on “Electropolis.” I see the first half of the record as a representation of the city’s daytime happenings and the second half as a journey into the night. The spaciousness of “Auditorium” is a perfect contrast to the energetic nature of “2nd Heaven,” where there are still tons of layers, but each component of the track has enough room to breathe. “The Tenth Gate” is like watching the sun rise over Electropolis once more, as Fil OK brings the energy level back up to a maximum just in time for the conclusion. The two bonus tracks are great fun too, with “Saint Earth” being yet another great offering that could fit right in with the rest of “Electropolis,” and “Sex Beach” taking a dark and dirty romp into some of the city’s more intriguing locations.
By the time it’s all over, you’ll quickly realize “Electropolis” is in no way just a one-time listen. As if the immensely layered production isn’t enough to keep you listening, the soundbites and esoteric vocals (sung and spoken from the point of view of an increasingly self-aware robot) continue to pull you in for further examination. It isn’t often that independent electronic music can be this engaging, so you would be a fool to pass up a chance to discover a completely new world of art within this world of music.
Listen to "Electropolis":
https://soundcloud.com/fil-ok/sets/electropolis
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/filokay
Blog:
http://filokay.blogspot.co.uk/
By: Max Puhala
“Electropolis,” Fil OK’s third solo full length album, is ambitious, dense and completely unique—a true 45-minute experience into another world, offering twelve traditional tracks and two bonus cuts for anyone willing to invest themselves in the project. The concept is certainly high-brow, but never borders on pretention. “Electropolis” is a futuristic megacity that can fully sustain itself on a natural source of electricity, but it isn’t at all like New York City. Sure, there are huge skyscrapers, crowded streets and labyrinths of buildings, but there are also natural coves and beaches scattered throughout the area. “Worlds within worlds, boulevards of hidden pleasures,” says Fil OK. Sign me up, please.
First, we move into “The Cosmos,” a perfect opening composition for what’s to follow, layered with electronic beeps and computer processing noise; it’s almost as if the city itself is a program loading itself for your to experience. “Coliseum” gives us a great introductory glimpse into the true talent of Fil OK, with its energetic, bumping beat and dynamic contrasts in the loud opening and restrained bridge. Each of the fourteen tracks on “Electropolis” are noticeably complex, boasting layers upon layers of subtle arrangements and tonal boosts. “Land of Promise” is an amazingly interesting song that can only be given the justice it deserves through the use of headphones. Not until then can you hear the entirety of the “Electropolis” soundscape.
The second half of the album is slightly less assertive of its complexity, with “World Within World” taking the volume to a new low and becoming one of the most chilled on “Electropolis.” I see the first half of the record as a representation of the city’s daytime happenings and the second half as a journey into the night. The spaciousness of “Auditorium” is a perfect contrast to the energetic nature of “2nd Heaven,” where there are still tons of layers, but each component of the track has enough room to breathe. “The Tenth Gate” is like watching the sun rise over Electropolis once more, as Fil OK brings the energy level back up to a maximum just in time for the conclusion. The two bonus tracks are great fun too, with “Saint Earth” being yet another great offering that could fit right in with the rest of “Electropolis,” and “Sex Beach” taking a dark and dirty romp into some of the city’s more intriguing locations.
By the time it’s all over, you’ll quickly realize “Electropolis” is in no way just a one-time listen. As if the immensely layered production isn’t enough to keep you listening, the soundbites and esoteric vocals (sung and spoken from the point of view of an increasingly self-aware robot) continue to pull you in for further examination. It isn’t often that independent electronic music can be this engaging, so you would be a fool to pass up a chance to discover a completely new world of art within this world of music.
Listen to "Electropolis":
https://soundcloud.com/fil-ok/sets/electropolis
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/filokay
Blog:
http://filokay.blogspot.co.uk/
By: Max Puhala