When a huge name like Devastation Radio adds you to their famed ‘battle of the bands’ poll then it’s time to sit up and take attention. When you find out that very artist won said battle then it’s time to get curious. But when you find out they did so with a gargantuan 14,000 public votes then it’s time to get excited. Drenched in a mystic shroud of industrial hip-hop, electronica and rap metal, Bent Self can make their claim on such feats and, fortunately, their latest record ‘Waves’ provides more than enough to show how it happened.
The ten-track rollercoaster of whiplash and kaleidoscopic soundscapes marks the DIY artist’s fourth full-length record since Bent Self A.K.A ‘Dustyn Marsing’ arose with debut ‘Double Edge Sword Cut #1’ and it’s a true testament to how this forward-thinker of beats and bops has evolved since 2010. Waves presents tighter songwriting, denser vistas to immerse ourselves in and absolutely no room for filler whatsoever.
From the horrorcore-esque synths and tortured vocal passages on ‘Love Will Stay With You’, the plodding thunder of bass that permeates the record’s title track and the masterful vocal offering from The Adepts’ feature on ‘Let Me Cruise’ – ‘Waves’ is never short of highlights and consistently reveals further secrets upon digging deeper on repeated listens.
The record’s pinnacle, the closing rager ‘We Will Not Be Ignored’, truly epitomises the project’s appeal. Intriguing soundscapes constructed of electronics both haunting and tranquil that set the stage for the tangible angst and rage from Marsing and guest feature Louis Gibbor – it is required listening for anyone and everyone.
Intriguing, invigorating, intelligent and dramatic – Bent Self’s latest efforts is an underground jewel that will never fail to shine. Do yourselves a favour and listen…
Waves is out now and available everywhere! Connect with Bent Self below:
