Album Review – Magic Oneohtrix Point Never

There’s one thing to say about this album and that is: if Natural Born Killers was an album it would be this one. Oneohtrix Point Never’s unmistakable, Aphex Twin-style, jaggedy sound is layer upon layer of unexpected weirdness and chaos – but it’s enjoyable. It’s like listening to an album that has been made underwater, it’s a trippy dream that leaves you with a fuzzy head. This being said, Oneohtrix’s 2020 release, Magic Oneohtrix Point Never, is incredibly creative and exciting. It’s 17 songs of artistic genius. Each track hits you with an unexpected turn like you’re delving into dark corners of Oneohtrix’s mind, exploring forbidden paths and finding hidden gems.

Cross Talk I, the opening track, is like trickling water with a mix of alien sounds, a quick 22 seconds of madness to reel you in. This is quite different to I Don’t Love You Anymore, a track involving lyrics, with its hidden sounds and raspy textures. It feels like you’re in slow motion listening to it. It’s not a sing-a-long anthem but you play it on repeat and each time you do, you notice new sounds – in the same way you watch your favourite film you’ve seen hundreds of times but you notice something different each time. When it comes to Auto & Allo and Bow Ecco, Oneohtrix’s versatility is shown as he displays a constant calmness throughout the track; it’s shimmery and twinkly, a stark difference to the organised chaos of Tales From The Trash Stratum or Shifting. Magic Oneohtrix Point Never is a labyrinth of quirky sounds, colours and textures; it’s an imaginative trippy journey you want to keep going on.