“The Things Themselves” by Monologic
The Things Themselves is like an answer that is within the question. The album by dance floor regulars Monologic reframes the fundamentals of electronic music. Lyrics of the track “Bathed in Static” are “instruments sweet in habit...bathed in static.” The “habit” that The Things Themselves hint at is the nature of electronic music and the way certain stipulations within that genre define it. Habitually, electronic sounds may repeat relentlessly, it's what communicates with the body, the lyric-less-ness providing just enough anonymity to transcend individual identity and have a collective experience. The same electronic sounds are now used to add variety within the same system, and it is turned on its head for a different effect. The Things Themselves questions the habits or role of electronic music to get outside of the box of dance music.
In the evolution of a band built on dance music, The Things Themselves is more musical, more delicate, more intricate and definitely based around the songwriting that makes the album accessible to people even if they don't normally listen to electronic music.
The production is so sophisticated that enjoying the album is simple. Have you ever looked at the back of a playing card and marveled at the intricacy of the designs? What about the surface of the moon on a clear night, or the line art on a dollar bill? Any of these might tip you off to the sonic layers, the lush bag of sounds that work together so that the listening experience seems as vast as the ocean when swimming in The Things Themselves. The beats seem to float...yet are held in place by gravity, except it's gravity on the moon. Such is the world of The Things Themselves, which references angles, being “topsy turvey” or escaping in to space, all while being conscious of the results of life experience that are shared by all of us- universal yet completely individual. It's an album that is very easy to “think” to.
It's also one of the most embracing efforts of recording technology and the marriage of electronic music making and more 'traditional' or organic music with acoustic instruments made in 2010. The delicate combination is completely seamless and the “digital” sound will make sense, now and in years to come, as it is played to a population that uses electronic devices daily more than any other population in history. As our lives become more influenced by digital technology, perhaps music that is at home with the future, as well as the present, will be something that makes us look at our own habits, and the way we use technology, and consciously be aware of the role of technology in our lives and our future. Or, we might just enjoy The Things Themselves because it has awesome sounds.
Although the album is a feat in songwriting as much as it is in production, the dance floor roots of Monologic will continue to spread. Keep a look out for dance remixes by other artists that will stretch the work of The Things Themselves in even broader directions.
