Staff Reviews

Doldrums - The Air Conditioned Nightmare

Review by Hayden Woolley

An album that’s well worth a dive into.»

Buy now from:

Airick Woodhead of Doldrums emerged from the same Montreal music scene as Grimes, and he dabbles in the same form of electronic-sampling, pastiche pop that she perfected. 'The Air Conditioned Nightmare' is named after an essay collection by Henry Miller. Doldrums apply a punk rock ethos to electronic music, creating songs using samplers and DJ gear in place of guitars. Bold, anxious, dream- like, uplifting, glacial, hypnotic, constricting, expansive, alien - this is an album that is ever-changing. 'The Air Conditioned Nightmare' is an album of texture and taste, an extra-sensory overload. Weaving through the mix are Woodhead's androgynous, tweaked vocals singing lyrics like voices down broken phone lines. This is music born of the 21st century. 'The Air Conditioned Nightmare' is an album that is punk rock in its DIY beginnings and militant commitment to originality. Ten snatched seconds is enough to pull you in. Ultimately, The 'Air Conditioned Nightmare' stands alone. Doldrums have created something special. You need to hear it.
description from www.roughtrade.com