Review Summary: Do not teach old dogs new tricks.
In the realm of power electronics, the boundaries of taste and discomfort are pushed to their limits. 'K9 Frequencies' by North Central boldly embraces this provocative territory, unapologetically delving into taboo subject matter and pushing the listener to confront their own boundaries.
North Central establishes this premise deviously on "Side A", sampling a pornographic set-up that passes for light-hearted chatter until the listener realises, far too late, that one of the partners is neither human nor in a position to consent to anything. It is an uncomfortable truth that forces us to grapple with the darker aspects of human desire. As the noise takes over, a sense of disgust and shame washes over the listener, providing a peculiar kind of catharsis. The noise becomes a cleansing agent, purging us of the intimacy suggested by the human voices.
As the album progresses, the interplay between sampled dialogue and noise intensifies. The noise onslaught becomes sharper and more relentless, mirroring the escalating tension of the dialogue. The role of the noise shifts from mere censorship to a suggestive force, hinting at the horrors of sexual violence. The album artwork too takes on a more unsettling tone, challenging our initial perceptions. At a glance, it could pass for parody, a grim stab at cutesy Pets of Insta photos, perhaps even a point of ironic attraction as such - yet the further the album commits to its theme, the harder it becomes to hold in one's gaze.
On 'Side B,' North Central takes a different approach, focusing primarily on noise of wavering intensity, drilling, pounding, scraping, clattering galore. For all its harshness, the impact may be dulled for some listeners who have become desensitized to the abstract and distorted sounds. Nevertheless, the gesture behind this sonic assault is not lost, serving as a reminder of the power that noise can wield in challenging our senses and pushing us to confront uncomfortable truths.
'K9 Frequencies' is a daring exploration of the boundaries of sound and subject matter. It forces us to question our own reactions and confront the uncomfortable truths that lurk beneath the surface. It is easy to deny artistic merit on principle to power electronics albums that, for instance, sample such dialogue as "I wanna have a threesome with you and my dog" - especially when this line is followed immediately by a ruthlessly erotic account of said intercourse, featuring a play on 'doggystyle' so egregious that you will hate yourself all the more for smirking through your nausea. North Central’s complementary pairing of disturbing aesthetics and implementation of sick, sick humour are disgusting, but one cannot deny the twisted cogency with which they play off one another here. This is an album that demands attention and refuses to be ignored, provoking a range of emotions from disgust to morbid fascination. Whether one can endure repeated listens is a personal choice, but its impact lingers long after the final note fades away.
