Paula Temple - Deathvox

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  • Deathvox is the followup to last year's Colonised EP, the record with which Paula Temple made her long overdue return to the limelight. It explores a similar stylistic template, namely double-proof techno with theatrical ambitions. Politically, too, Temple remains keen to make statements. "Ful" is named in honour of a Swedish art group who have challenged European border policies, reflecting the artist's prior pledge to "resist the control systems we encounter every day." Like all of these tracks, it's less disruptively glitchy than anything on Colonised; you can imagine its journey from glacial drift to white-hot propulsion (and back again) working a treat in vast warehouse spaces. "Deathvox" is Temple's attempt at a "completely transhuman" sonic movement, her resolution to break free from fixed, biologically determined identities reflected in the way her own voice is processed beyond recognition. The outcome is an apocalyptic rumble worthy of some Temple of Doom-style sacrificial rite. Taken alongside shrieking synths and a death-stomp groove, the effect is enjoyably melodramatic. "Monstro" is probably the weakest of the three. Its percussion cracks like artillery fire, but it seems as if Temple has resorted to a little too much compression in order to contain her volatile materials. The results feel cramped when, increasingly, it's grand expanse that Temple does best.
  • Tracklist
      A1 Deathvox A2 Monstro B1 Ful
RA