RedazioneHot on the heels of his widely praised debut album Big Bobbi, Pork Bun returns with Within a Hill on Bridge Road, a release that boldly pushes the boundaries of electronic music. Known for his experimental approach to sound design, Pork Bun’s latest effort is a compelling fusion of ambient, downtempo, and hard techno, creating an immersive listening experience that demands both attention and introspection.
The album opens with Rat Pond, a track that sets the tone with its glitchy rhythms and layered synth textures. The bassline, deep and pulsating, acts as the track’s backbone, driving the song forward while the glitch elements disrupt the flow, creating a sense of unease. This dissonance is a theme that will recur throughout the album, as Pork Bun weaves complexity into every track, offering moments of calm only to have them shattered by chaotic rhythmic shifts.
The second track, Quartz Fountain, introduces a more melodic structure, with shimmering synths and ambient pads that evoke a sense of fluidity. However, this tranquility is short-lived, as glitchy percussion interrupts the peace, reminding us that this album is anything but conventional. The juxtaposition of smooth, flowing soundscapes with abrasive, fragmented beats is a defining characteristic of Pork Bun’s style, and Within a Hill on Bridge Road exemplifies this perfectly.
The title track, Oh, That’s the Decaying Body of an Ancient God Within a Hill on Bridge Road, is an audacious, sprawling composition. At nearly seven minutes long, it takes its time to unfold, with haunting, distant synths gradually emerging from a bed of static noise. The track’s rhythmic structure is constantly in flux, never allowing the listener to settle into a groove. The track’s title itself hints at the kind of cryptic, otherworldly imagery that permeates the album, giving it an almost mythical quality.
In Zen-like DMV, Pork Bun explores a more downtempo, contemplative side, with lush pads and a gentle bassline that create a hypnotic atmosphere. The track’s simplicity is deceiving, as it’s punctuated by sudden, jarring glitches that momentarily pull you out of the trance. It’s a perfect example of how Pork Bun’s use of rhythm and sound keeps the listener on edge, never allowing complete relaxation.
Later, 53°20’17.7″N 6°15’32.7″W (Resto of My Life) offers an intricate blend of granular synth textures and deep bass, grounding the track in a palpable sense of place, hinted at by its coordinates in the title. The glitch elements here are more pronounced, as the song seems to break down and reassemble itself, constantly shifting in a way that mirrors the uncertainty of life itself.
Pork Bun’s approach to bass is one of the album’s standout features. The basslines are never straightforward; they are dynamic and multifaceted, often weaving in and out of the tracks, interacting with the glitchy percussion in surprising ways. The interplay between these elements creates a sense of tension, pulling the listener deeper into the sonic landscape.
Tracks like Couch Slamm and Tripping Up a Ladder showcase Pork Bun’s talent for blending hard techno with experimental glitches, producing a frenetic energy that contrasts sharply with the more ambient, serene moments on the album. The rhythms are fast and jittery, constantly shifting in unexpected directions, while the synth work remains sharp and dissonant, pushing the limits of what can be considered “danceable” electronic music.
The closing track, The Lord of All That is Golden, brings the album to a close on a note of quiet reflection. With its ethereal synths and minimal percussion, it offers a moment of peace after the chaos of the previous tracks, leaving the listener with a sense of resolution. However, it’s a quiet resolution, one that hints at something deeper, something still unresolved.
Within a Hill on Bridge Road is an album that will challenge listeners in the best possible way. Pork Bun has crafted a sonic journey that is as ambitious as it is innovative, blending genres and textures in a way that feels both fresh and unorthodox. For fans of experimental electronic music, this is a must-listen album, one that will reward repeated listens with its complexity and depth. It’s clear that Pork Bun is an artist who is pushing the limits of what electronic music can be, and Within a Hill on Bridge Road cements his place as one of the most exciting voices in the genre today.
