Two and a half minutes into the dark, cinematic video for RAT & CO's 'Vocal Insanity', I had one of those jarring moments where you realise you've been paralysed.
Hypnotised, entirely absorbed in the abstracted, almost nightmarish visuals of the clip—ensnared like that fly in the spider's arms, the atmospheric music chewing at the cud of my brain. It's utterly aesthetic, and yet clearly exhibiting unaesthetic tendencies: the ability to thrill and numb in equal measures. It's also fairly brilliant.
This is the kind of music video you'd as likely expect to hit you in those drunken 3am Rage sessions, as in the corridors of a Postmodern art expo; themes of life, death and transience in chilling black and white. There's the image of a child, there's the image of an old geezer; there's a sunset, there's a bee impregnating a flower—all crafted and spliced around those broody, bumping beats reminiscent of artists like DARKSIDE or MOVEMENT. It really is pretty engrossing stuff: creepy, but in a stunning way.
RAT & CO is the sonic spawn of Melbourne-based bedroom producer Joshua Delaney. They craft ambient, atmospheric soundscapes in the vein of those aforementioned, and have drummed up praise from DARKSIDE as well as the likes of GOLD PANDA and SNAKADAKTAL. 'Vocal Insanity' marks the first single from their sophomore LP 'Binary', excitingly slated for release next month. Until then you should probably find yourself a darkroom and a projector, and play this on repeat. Just clear your calendar first.
Words by Gavin Butler
SEE ALSO:
LISTEN: CHET FAKER 'NO DIGGITY' (RAT & CO REMIX PREVIEW)
LISTEN: DARKSIDE 'MODCAST' MIX FOR MODULAR
MOVEMENT ANNOUNCE AUSTRALIAN TOUR & NEW EP
