Photay - Onism

Photay
Onism
2017
Spotify

The intro to Photay's third studio album is somewhat dark and ominous. You think for a minute that you will be getting this experimental electronic deep dive, but instead that heaviness melts away and these african style drums come in to turn the whole thing on it's head. Onism is goofy, housey and at it's core a straight up dance record. It has this brightness to it that is so infectious. The album cover sort of captures this vibe as well: It is Photay in black and white in a foggy forest. This could very well be an experimental cover, but Photay has this ever so slight smile on his face letting you in just slightly on the joke. "Inharmonious Slog" brings in this really fantastic organ line blending in a funk element that sets everything off. The thing you notice first about this record is just how great the beats are, they are begging for a singer or rapper, but you only get real vocals on one of the tracks. "The Everyday Push" is perhaps the best song on the record is so technical, yet so full of emotion it is really something to behold. It begins with this glitchy almost alarm tone that drops into big drums constantly evolving into something new and exciting. The song instead of including some big drop to move it forwards just keeps growing and keeps elaborating making the song something new while never loosing that initial glitchy beginning. The whole album feels so unified even though it takes from a variety of influences. The other worldly sound of "Storm" creates this world where big sounds dominate and pull you into to their gravity. It is the first track that really feels ethereal while the others are more grounded in just having a good time, although that is putting it in quite the small box.

"Oute Lux" which is the only track to feature a singer, Madison McFerrin, as she says "Can You See Me" over and over further the idea of Onism that a reflection of the self is one of the most important aspects of human life. This record is not just about self indulgence, though seeking pleasure does seem to be one of it's major focus points, it is also about being comfortable with one's self. Every Time Photay seems to get himself in trouble or get into a place where there is too much going on He is able to pull it around and make something out of the track. "Balsam Massacre" is by far the most experimental track, but blaring electronic horns manage to bring it around. The same can be said for "Eco Friend" which begins odd and clunky but then the pulsating percussion fades away to allow an out of no where saxophone line. Onism knows it is playing with high minded ideas and that is why grounding it in dance music is such a great idea, give people something to hold on to, something to enjoy and wrap your message up in that. A really great record and one that you can come back to again and again despite the venue. Don't miss out on this one.

8.0 out of 10