Oneohtrix Point Never - Replica

Replica took the plunderphonics genre to heights that I don’t think have been reached since. It’s beyond the classic plunder trope of chopping up old audio samples and repurposing them in a next context - this feels like the epitome of everything OPN has tried to achieve before and since: portraying an unbroken sonic marriage between new and old. Amidst some tribal drums and grand pianos are squelching midi synths; there is a clear juxtaposition but deep connection of vintage and modern sounds on this record - fitting for someone who many consider to be the creator of vaporwave. Memory and remembrance seems to be a clear theme, where you can’t quite tell where the nostalgia ends and fresh memories begin. It sounds wanky, but this album’s worth the deep dive.

The sampling is absolutely masterful, with some source material chopped to oblivion and some OPN lets breathe in its static and tape hiss. The sampling is diverse to say the least, whether it’s Ronald McDonald chuckling while he rakes in cheques, or the Powerpuff Girls uniting to fight another pixelated battle. Like some of my favourite sound artists, there’s a real physicality to the music here - there are solid rhythms even without solid percussion. Replica gives me an almost indescribable feeling of intrigue, terror and beauty, holding up incredibly over the last decade plus, and will only continue to be more prevalent as it ages like fine cassette reels.

KEY TRACK: Up - probably the most transcendent moment on this album, the pacing of this track is ingenious, with its looping hollow drums giving way to what sounds like beautifully sparkling flutes or keys. I’m almost convinced that’s a Homer Simpson sample too which is the bloody best thing ever.