Plastic Anniversary
Matmos · 2019
40 min · 11 tracks · electronic music
A playful exploration of synthetic sounds and textures, melding experimental electronics with a conceptual focus on plasticity.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Crying Pill — This track exemplifies Matmos's signature blending of humor and poignancy, featuring manipulated sounds that evoke emotional responses while remaining abstract.
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Silicone Gel Implant — Here, Matmos crafts a sonic narrative that intertwines personal and societal themes, using unexpected samples that challenge perceptions of beauty and body image.
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Collapse of the Fourth Kingdom — This piece stands out through its intricate layering of sound samples, creating an immersive auditory environment that reflects on themes of decay and transformation.
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Thermoplastic Riot Shield — The track cleverly uses industrial sounds to create tension and urgency, mirroring contemporary political climates while showcasing their inventive production techniques.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album showcases innovative sound exploration while maintaining a playful yet experimental approach to composition.
What we noticed
- Each track employs a distinct sound palette derived from various plastic materials, creating a diverse auditory landscape.
- The album features abrupt transitions between tracks, often shifting from one sonic theme to another without traditional song structures.
- Several pieces incorporate field recordings and manipulated samples, emphasizing the experimental nature of the compositions.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- quirky sound explorations with humor
- short tracks for quick engagement
- playful experimentation with everyday materials
- vivid textures that spark curiosity
Maybe skip if you
- prefer straightforward song structures
- seek traditional musical narratives
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2019, Plastic Anniversary is Matmos's first album in five years, following the critically acclaimed Ultimate Care II. This album marks a return to their roots in sound experimentation, showcasing their distinctive approach to music created from everyday objects and materials.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Oval· The Books· Mouse on Mars
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Breaking Bread 2:27
- 2 The Crying Pill 4:24
- 3 Interior With Billiard Balls & Synthetic Fat 4:12
- 4 Extending the Plastisphere to GJ237b 0:10
- 5 Silicone Gel Implant 4:31
- 6 Plastic Anniversary 4:06
- 7 Thermoplastic Riot Shield 4:05
- 8 Fanfare for Polyethylene Waste Containers 4:00
- 9 The Singing Tube 2:59
- 10 Collapse of the Fourth Kingdom 5:02
- 11 Plastisphere 4:21
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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