Review of the new Anodic8 album entitled ‘Psycho’

On Oct. 14, Anodic8 released ‘Psycho.’ Though some tracks in this electronic work never come to fruition, many are interesting concepts with strong results.

On Oct. 14, Anodic8 released the album, Psycho. This electronic project is the creation of Hampshire, UK-based artist Steve Hyde. Since July of 2015, Hyde released 5 albums – Psycho being the most recent. Comprised of 15 tracks, many of them are shorter than average. Some pieces feel as though they never come to fruition, while others lack a truly distinguishing factor. However, this record contains a goodly number of strong tracks and some interesting ideas.

“Erratic” kicks off Psycho with little to no introduction – thrusting listeners immediately into a rebounding industrial plane. This short and purely abstract track has a factory feel, with aluminum undertones. The second piece is “Idolator.” From the start, it has a more accessible and defined rhythm and flow. Audiences can easily imagine dancing to this in club with dark musical inclinations. Soaring metallic sounds weave through relatively upbeat tones on this track.

“Confused” comes up next, evoking starry scenes. Reverberating sounds, signals and muffled voices make this an ideal opening to a space film – just before everything goes terribly wrong.

From sinister to organic with Anodic8

As Psycho continues onward, some tracks never seem to fully form. Others do not stand out from other electronic albums of a similar ilk. However, there are some solid standout pieces on the record.

Among the strongest pieces on this album is “Drift.” Despite this track being firmly rooted in experimental electronica, there is something almost organic about the picture it paints. Evoking beetles, dripping water and wind through tress, there is something rainforest-after-dark about “Drift.” A static edge to this track makes it feel pleasantly worn – while punctuated by distinctly tapped out rhythms. One of the longer pieces on this record, it has the opportunity to build and develop to a greater degree than many others.

Another high point from Anodic8 is “Eraser.” There is something sinister about this track – in much the same way that music boxes and children’s toys are quite creepy in horror films. Lighter notes here are not a respite, but instead amp-up the disturbing factor. Just shy of three minutes in, added deep and resonating layers make "Eraser" quite interesting.

Psycho wraps up with “Wrong” and “Over.” “Wrong” is, unfortunately, less than a minute long. It feels like a great intro to something that the audience never gets to see. “Over” contains a buzzing, whispering and abstract opening. Though it has a distinct pulse beneath all of the orchestrated interference, it feels as though the beat has been swallowed. Eventually it emerges, causing the track to come to fruition in an interesting way.

Anodic8 turned in a solid effort with Psycho. Though some of Hyde’s tracks are more effective than others, it is strong overall.