005 - R∞ - IIɅ7

 

 

Hyperconsumerism.  The pressure to consume goods that ultimately serve no functional purpose.  Having those goods then define one’s identity.  One of the pillars of the American zeitgeist in the 80’s, it was ironically embraced by classic vaporwave years later.  

What then would vaporwave look like if it was made from the zeitgeist of the 90’s? Would the rapid rise in technology lead to a utopian future? Or perhaps a more misanthropic vision of things yet to come?  For R∞ the answer is the latter.  

Movies such as Akira, Ghost in the Shell, and The Matrix all help paint the picture for the sound that is present on IIɅ7.  A darker, grittier future where technology is used to further the greed of mankind.  Self-dubbed cybervapor, R∞ has created his own vision of what beat driven, cyberpunk influenced vaporwave can be.

The cybervapor genre is a conscious decision to not be classified as dreampunk.  R∞ explained that while this project could easily fit in with the dreampunk narrative he wanted to create something less ambient, more melodically driven.  A sound that has a defined beat, dropping with reverb while still paying tribute to the classic “vapor” sound.  He had a specific sound in mind, no one was making it, so he did.

Consisting of just five tracks, the runtime of the album is brief but utilized to maximum effect.  The album showcases a cohesive focus on simple melodies repeated through various instrumentations and manipulations to create a 'variations on a theme' approach to the song writing.

Take for example the opening track, IIɅO.  Immediately the main melody is introduced.  It's less than ten seconds long and is prominently featured throughout the track. Quickly settling into a groove, IIɅO gives us an understanding of the stylistic leanings of this album.  Without altering the actual notes played, the melody is repeated on several different synths and manipulated with multiple effects.   While the repetition could easily become boring, the song structure and tasteful use of effects and breakdowns, the song remains undeniably engaging throughout.

Each song crafts its own narrative, and while they all adhere to the blueprint set out by IIɅO each song forges its own unique identity.  IIɅI assaults the listener with hard beats and aggressive 808’s -  IɅIO borrows heavily from 90’s EBM, and the closing track merges all of the concepts in the album into an epic finish.

My undoubted highlight of the album however is the infectious groove of OIOɅ. The ambient intro lures the listener into thinking that the track may be a continuation of the industrial leanings of IɅIO.  That illusion is shattered by a breakbeat accompanied by the only guitar riff found on the album.  The entire affair is dripping with reverb and I challenge anyone to try and not bob their head to the jam that R∞ has crafted.  Go on… try.  


If there is a story to be told  by this album it is left intentionally obscure.  R∞ prefers the listener to forge their own interpretations of what is transpiring in the music he creates.  The track and album titles are meant to look like random garbage, and any meaning derived from them or the music is meant to be intensely personal to each listener.  

This album is the second in R∞'s cybervapor series with more releases to come.  He brings his own flavor to cyberpunk influenced vaporwave, dreampunk or whatever you want to call it.  Look at the cover, that is the exact representation of the sound you get on this album.  Regardless of the genre tag, the album offers a concise, focused vision that anyone who is a fan of beats with their dream music would do well to check out.   

Acknowledgements

A huge thank you to R∞ for the extensive answers to my questions and as always to Blissmonkey for editing and promotion.