Review Summary: Uproot effectively 'ruptures' and expands the conventional notion of the modern DJ in 23 vastly diverse tracks.
Imagine, if you will, your conception of what the conventional DJ sounds like.
If 'modern classical', 'ambient', 'jungle', and 'a capella' didn't come to mind, rest assured, you aren't the only one - DJ /rupture is far from the conventional DJ. Covering the musical spectrum with technical beats and breakdown-esque sections in "Hungry Ghosts", catchy and well-developed pop melodies in "Gave You All My Love", dark, yet solemnly beautiful orchestral ambience in "Save from the Flames All That Yet Remains", and club-like beats and foreign vocals in "Ignadjossi", DJ /rupture smashes through any and all apparent stylistic barriers, and does so in a surprisingly accessible manner. Each song, however distinctly different, flows fluidly into the next, totally immersing the listener in
Uproot's unparalleled cultural excursion.
DJ /rupture has an undeniable gift for taking a theme and repeating it over nine-thousand times, yet building around it in a way that circumvents it from seeming repetitious whatsoever. Rather, each minute becomes more intriguing, as DJ /rupture seems to drag the listener deeper into his uniquely obscure rabbit hole. Nonetheless, some songs exemplify this better than others. /rupture seems to find his creative niche in rhythmically technical songs and ambient songs, but struggles in between. Throughout
Uproot, it becomes apparent that /rupture was not meant to be conventional nor mainstream, as the songs following this vein sound tired and forced. However, playing unconventional music in no way infers compromised accessibility; one would be hard pressed to find someone whose fancy would not be tickled immediately by at least a hand full of songs on this album.
The consistently combined senses of accessibility, diversity, and creativity yield a focused, genuine product that is equally audacious as it is impacting. DJ /rupture possesses a rare gift in which he can develop a powerfully somber and emotional song just as strongly as he can develop a pumping dance song, and make both sound distinctly like him. This ability to leave a consistently unique mark on songs while remaining diverse is quintessential for a successful DJ, and is a quality by which they can be accurately judged. Under these terms,
Uproot is undoubtedly a classic within the genre.
