Currently enjoying “Oversteps” by Autechre

The thing that sets Autechre apart from the vast majority of musical acts out there is their stubborn insistence on paying as little regard to personality, context or convention as possible. Groups who tell you that they’re “all about the music” are a dime a dozen, but in Autechre’s case it’s practically true by default. Few artists can claim to put forward as little information beyond what’s on their record as Autechre does. Fewer still can claim to do so with music anywhere near as unique and unusual. And I can’t think of anyone else who’s managed to do all of the above as consistently and successfully as Autechre (fellow Warp artist Aphex Twin doesn’t count because he’s too messianic).

It misses the mark to simply say that Sean Booth and Rob Brown make the sort of music that defies expectations; it’s closer to the truth to say that they’ve chosen not to create them, or even to acknowledge the need for them. Oversteps is the tenth and latest in a series of rich and densely complex electronic albums, driven once again by a “take it or leave it” attitude towards even the most basic conventions of rhythm and melody. If it’s not your first Autechre album, then yes, you’ll have a sense of what to expect – and if you’re a fan of heavy beats and droning synths, then I think you’re going to have a lot of fun with this one.

But once again, what you get is a bunch of tracks with nonsensically meaningless names, wrapped in minimalistic packaging, and presented to the world by a couple of otherwise anonymous Englishmen who have never even told the world how we ought to pronounce their damned name (the great Patti Schmidt used to go with “oh-TEK-ruh,” and I figure that’ll do as well as anything else).

When it comes to Autechre’s music, “expectations” don’t really enter into it. Beyond the music itself, there isn’t much to absorb or rely on. Even the group’s most ardent fans can’t claim to know much about them, and that’s the way it really ought to be. When the music you make is this removed from just about everything else out there, why pin it down by dressing it up?

“All right, Matty, we get it! How does the damned thing sound, already?”

Well, to tell you the truth, it’s pretty great. Tri Repetae has always been my favourite Autechre release, so I guess the best and most accurate thing I can say about Oversteps is that it’s heavier, more melodic at times, and generally less engaged with things like rhythms, beats and time signatures. The opening track “r ess” sets the tone for the album nicely by dropping its various elements in and out of the mix – at times subtly, at others abrasively – until you’ve come to be taught that there’s basically no point in assuming you’ll be able to tap your foot along to anything else you’re about to hear.

Not that all of it’s golden, by any means. In fact, a couple of tracks in the middle of the disc sound more like latter day Skinny Puppy than anyone ever should – including Skinny Puppy, but that’s a digression for another day. On the whole, however, it more than measures up to the standard Autechre has set for itself throughout the years, and it’s well worth checking out.

Posted in Currently Enjoying