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JJ's Bizarre Blog #22 - Deadlocked by Binary Algorhythmic System Processes
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Hello world! The time has come once again to unpack a new breadth of wisdom from your bizarrely truly. In this day and age, technology is advancing at a pace that is unprecedented in the history of mankind thus far. New tech is cropping up all the time and before you even realize it, the way we live has been revolutionized again. Computers play a pivotal role nowadays and we’ve become like fish out of water without them. For better or for worse, it also seems that not just on Spotify but on most other websites and services today, powerful and enigmatic algorithms gaze upon us with their omniscient eyes and use their esoteric machine learning processes to dictate where we should go and what we should do next. Some people like having the process of discovery be automated for them, others prefer to be more in control. Regardless, in celebration of all of this, I’ve decided to dedicate this most binary blog to The Algorithm. What? No, not the algorithm, I mean The Algorithm! Ah, you’ll see what I mean.
So what am I talking about? Well, The Algorithm in question is not any of our AI overlords, it’s in fact the artistic pseudonym of one talented French musician Remi Gallego, who has cemented himself as one of my favourites in recent years and has made his way on to my Wrapped multiple times already. Not much is known about the man himself, but we do know that he started The Algorithm project in 2009. France has really been a hotbed of quality electronic music in recent years. They have a long standing tradition in the scene, but have really been popping off lately. In particular with the rise of synthwave and darksynth, with the biggest names in the genre like Carpenter Brut and Perturbator both being French. In fact, I discovered The Algorithm when he toured as the supporting act for the latter of those two. Remi himself was obviously influenced by this blossoming scene, but he sought to create something entirely different. Most of the synthwave/darksynth artists are actually metal musicians that pivoted to having a crack at electronic music and Remi was no different, but unlike the majority of his peers, instead of simply replacing one style with the other, he sought to create a blend of the two never heard before. He defines this sound as “instrumental synth-driven progressive metal” and I believe the label fits really well, although he is definitely more electronic with metal influences than the other way around. His music is defined by heavy djent-style guitar riffs, crushing polyrhythmics, complex synth lines, varied and dynamic song structures and blend of a wide variety of different other genres. The end result is something truly incomparable. Oh and also almost all of his music is named after and inspired by programming and computer science. So, let’s crack this code then, shall we?
The Algorithm would first burst on to the scene with his debut EP The Doppler Effect in 2009. This is a very chaotic and eclectic album that can be a bit of an acquired taste. Clearly, Remi at this stage was still figuring things out and trying all kinds of things from his broad palette of interests. It’s like you have a group of friends at a party, one likes djent and progressive metal, one likes pop punk and metalcore, one likes trap and hip-hop, one likes EDM and one worships Aphex Twin. You all couldn’t decide what to play, so you make something that is a blend of all of these at the same time. Also there’s that one guy in the back that is obsessed with circus music for some reason and he’s also trying to chime in with ideas. The end result is a fun listen, but it’s quite bizarre. Still very enjoyable, but be advised that this isn’t representative of The Algorithm’s greater body of work.
After some re-calibration, The Algorithm would come back swinging with his next album, Critical Error in 2010. This is the first programming-themed record and the first glimpse into what his style would eventually become. This time the sound is much more under control, but the chaos is still there. The metal riffs and electronic beats blend quite well and are quite catchy and there’s a multitude of other genres like jazz, funk, reggae, hip-hop and more that lend their stylistics. Those familiar with my previous blogs will also know that 2010 was around the time when dubstep was in its heyday and The Algorithm wasn’t free from its influence either. This is a very enjoyable album and clearly shows the underlying brilliance of the man, but it’s evident that this is just the beginning. It’s like the code of a talented junior developer – the guy clearly has skill and his programs work, but they lack polish and aren’t very efficient. He just lacks the experience to realize his full potential.
Lo and behold, this potential would be unfolded when The Algorithm as we know and love him today would well and truly arrive with his bombastic banger – 2012’s Polymorphic Code. This is truly the first proper Algorithm album with all the elements of his uniqueness shining brightly. Whereas before, the chaos could become overwhelming at times and he can get a bit lost in his own wild ideas, here he has firmly grasped the reins of the machine and has it under full control. All of the different genres he likes to experiment with – djent, prog metal, edm, drum ‘n’ bass, industrial, dubstep, etc. - all blend together into this wonderful tapestry of diverse sounds. The title Polymorphic Code (meaning something with many shapes) couldn’t be more fitting, as the each song is a wild blend of different sounds that you would never think would work, but oh boy, do they ever! While most electronic artists tend to focus on repetition, having one central “hook” in a song and building the entire track around it, The Algorithm goes the opposite way and constructs these progressive metal style song structures that ebb and flow with dynamism and texture, something few artists dare even attempt. That to me is what makes this guy one of the most unique and interesting composers in the entire electronic space. This album and the couple of banger non-album singles to follow it prove that.
He would continue his streak of success with 2014’s Octopus4. A baffling album title with some even more baffling song titles within, but this record is a very natural stylistic evolution from its predecessor. More firmly electronic with less metal inclusions (although those are far from absent), this album is another varied, dynamic and unique creation that is just a joy to explore. With every listen, I find new nuances that I didn’t appreciate before. I am guilty of sometimes overlooking this one, so don’t make the same mistake! This record is full of straight bangers through and through.
If you’ve reached this point and are already impressed (as I would expect), then I have great news for you – you haven’t heard nothing yet! For you see, it’s here where I believe The Algorithm’s golden age would begin, with his 2016 opus Brute Force. This is without question the quintessential Algorithm record. All albums before and after are amazing, believe that, but this is where all of his stylistic would be distilled to their purest perfection. A perfect blend of neck-snapping bombastic guitar riffs, catchy and danceable techno beats, diverse and varied synth textures full of melody and atmosphere, engaging and dynamic proggy compositions that keep you thoroughly engaged to from the first second to the last. Even the amazing remixes he made of his own tracks kick serious ass! It’s no shocker that The Algorithm’s most popular tracks are all from here. His style would continuously evolve throughout the years and he doesn’t have a single bad album to his name, but Brute Force is just the perfect blend of everything he does and whatever happens in future, this album will forever be the perfect nexus point for new and returning fans alike. It’s the literal definition of a “lightning in a bottle” moment.
Brute Force was such a game changer, that it became a movement on its own within The Algorithm’s discography, mainly by spawning two sequel EPs – Brute Force: Overclock later in 2016 and Brute Force: Source Code the next year. Somehow, despite just delivering the banger of the century, the madman pulled out some more songs that ended up being some of his best! Overclock is one of the most disgustingly catchy things I’ve ever heard in my life, housing some of his best riffs and some of his sickest beats. Source Code is almost just as catchy, but is this more proggy, dynamic and flowing composition that takes you on an absolute journey every time. These two EPs are just gold mines and shouldn't be overlooked. And by the way, the lengthy proggy compositions of the latter actually proved to be a harbinger of what was to come.
After a brief respite, the Algorithmic machine would awaken once more and bless us with yet another mind blowing creation in 2018 – Compiler Optimization Techniques. This album really stands out amongst all the others. It’s only 5 tracks and a remix, but is still the proper length of an album, because these songs are some of the lengthiest and most ambitious compositions that The Algorithm has ever created. Each song is this dynamic and exciting journey between diverse soundscapes. The way he can go from pounding industrial techno, to black metal blast beats and tremolo riffs, to electronic ambience, to djenty breakdowns and then to something different then all of those never ceases to amaze me. Even among electronic genres with the “progressive” moniker in the name, I can’t really think of any other album that dares to even attempt what this album so masterfully achieves.
After dropping such a massive masterpiece, Remi retreated into the shadows of the web for a bit of well deserved respite. And also, he was busy working on some other projects around this time and it’s good to busy oneself with different things, so each one doesn’t become too dull and repetitive. But, after several years of waiting, in 2022 we were blessed with The Algorithm’s next masterwork, titled Data Renaissance. Yet again, the man found a way to both reinvent himself and stay true to his roots at the same time, a balancing act so so many artists tend to fail at. This album is much more electronic and the songs are once again of more typical lengths as opposed to the length epics of the previous outing. Out of all the albums, this is the one where it’s difficult for me to even name a central theme, because never before has each track been so starkly different from the rest. Each song carries a different vibe, a different feel and a different idea. They are all permeated with multilayered, almost symphonic synth lines, bombastic rhythms and varying sounds. This album perfectly illustrates why The Algorithm is in a league of his own in the electronic space. While most stick to one style, he isn’t afraid to branch out and try anything that catches his attention and because of that, exploring a new album from him is so wonderfully unpredictable as you never know what each new track has in store. Synthwave? Mick Gordon-style industrial metal? Proggy EDM? Electro-Hardcore? Who knows! The only way to find out is to dive right in and let The Algorithm take you on a journey of epic proportions.
During his entire discography, The Algorithm of course found some time for side hustles too, mainly in the form of remixes of other people’s tracks, collaborations with other producers and getting people to remix his own tracks. All of these present some awesome variety, different sounds and different perspectives that just wouldn’t be possible before. These awesome tracks definitely shouldn’t be overlooked.
I mentioned before that in the pauses between albums, Remi Gallego would busy himself with other projects too and one of them was releasing different music under his own name, which mostly consists of his work creating soundtracks to a variety of video games. I mean, his music under The Algorithm already bares strong influences from game soundtracks, so this was only a natural step for him to make. Also, him working on the music for the game Hacknet is just a match made in digital heaven.
And besides that, he also has another project called Boucle Infinie. Named after an old Algorithm track, this project is much more melancholic and introspective and carries a very different vibe to his other works, mixing IDM, electronica, post rock, indie rock and more to create a retro sound full of soul and emotion. If you’re into that sort of thing, I strongly recommend exploring these albums too, because regardless of what name the music is under, Remi doesn’t miss!
He also has a few playlists that he curated himself for various themes, features his own music as well of course. They’re all amazing too, so check them out!
spotify:playlist:3DCw0phsL4wCuyhvhATiIA:small
spotify:playlist:6R0P8uY9YxpfZOQWtGLCRz:small
spotify:playlist:5jMBqRjoXfhZ4yYD5jX968:small
spotify:playlist:43uS6JpETpdcZxTtK7cxCR:small
Thus, it’s time to wrap up our coding session here. The Algorithm has exposed me to a world of music I didn’t even know was possible. I have personally always loved the blend of metal and electronic music, my favourite band is Static-X after all. I’ve also always been passionate about computers, so everything The Algorithm does is just a godsend for me. I hope it becomes that way for you too. I’ve compiled all the epic tracks for you as always and I wish you happy delving into the depths of binary space.
class TheAlgorithm {
if (computer.metal=oui);
public static void main(String[] args) {
System.out.println("Computer Metal=TRES BIEN");
}
}
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