Review Summary: Consistent, contrasting quality
On paper, you'd think Evel 46 wouldn't work as well as it does. And initially, I didn't think it would work either, in fact. You've got two very different artists that, while both creating what can be called idm music, go about it in very different ways. Whereas Hexalyne's music is all about detailed blasts of robotic electricity, newcomer Lain paints expansively cinematic compositions that could easily soundtrack a futuristic cyberpunk thriller -- really catchy stuff, actually. Now, put these two together on a split LP where each artist takes turns pulling and tugging the listener to and fro, and surely, you'd think you'd have a jarring experience, right?
Indeed, Evel 46 is, admittedly, jarring and very "un-smooth"; I won't deny that. But in this case, however, each idm technicians' music compliments and helps distinguish that of the other in a very unique way. Evel 46 is not so much a complete, smooth ride of an album, in the traditional sense -- I don't think it was meant to be -- but is instead a collection of poignant, independent songs that stand very well on their own. Oh, and these songs are good, damn good.
Hexalyne opens and closes this near-hour-long split and with every other track delivers what we've come to know and love from him: pristine leftfield idm, second to none. Highlights for the Romanian producer include opener "Causic"; which is straight out of the book of his superb Exivavves album: glitchy click-clack beats with numerous intricate details; "Ective-C", which is more in line with his debut Tcaresset in its abstract melodicism and busy background sounds; and then "Heliin Vone" -- a seminal love letter to Autechre's Confield days that sounds fresh and absolutely genuine in its homage.
Lain's music, on the other hand, bounces off the ends of Hexalyne's songs with an aggressive, energetic fervor: in contrast to the other's music, there's less details to unfurl here and way more fireworks. But that's not to say the quality of the music drops one bit, absolutely not. Think of a cross between Rival Consoles' excellent Persona album from 2018 and Lynyn's epic Lexicon album from 2022, and you have a pretty good idea of what to expect from this newcomer; Lain's work is certainly more immediate, commercial, in a sense, and more exciting than the prior work of the Romanian producer. Whether it's the drum and bass of "Mknomi", the sunset revery of summer days from the gorgeous "Nron", or the epic cacophony of stop-start clips that build to crescendo in "My Body Is Full of Metal" -- likely, his best track here -- Lain hits hard and fast, delivering memorable, nostalgic hooks that would likely appeal to a larger audience than that of Hexalyne.
In summary, Evel 46 offers a lot, no doubt, to many a listener. Any idm fan will enjoy at least some aspects of the songs on offer here. But if you are like me, and hopefully you are, Evel 46 combines the best of both worlds in context of this varied, challenging subgenre. I listen to Evel 46 to be wowed and emotionally moved, via Lain; and then I also listen to it to find more of that addictive, high-detailed Hexalyne music that I can't seem to get enough of. Evel 46 delivers. Hexalyne delivers; Lain delivers. Appreciate the contrast; embrace the contrast. Listen. Listen. Listen. More Hexalyne. More Lain. Please.
