Review Summary: The party is over. Sadly.
I’m not sure what it is, but something in my DNA craves musical chaos. When done correctly, there’s something cathartic about getting lost in a wave of frantic riffs and percussion that more “traditional” sounds, melodies, and structures just doesn’t achieve. It takes me back to the excitement of first hearing rock music and feeling the energy absolutely bursting out of it.
Amusi bring just the right amount of chaos to the noise-punk energy of their first and only mini-album,
Adapt in Codes. Amusi were a duo from Denmark, consisting of Martin Hvistendal Pedersen on guitar, vocals, and bass, and Mads Englund Rasmussen providing the drums and lyrics. Originally released in 2007,
Adapt in Codes was re-released digitally in 2024, making it accessible to a new generation of listeners.
Things kick off with “Office Etiquette” and it immediately establishes the kind of ride you’re going to be on for the next 6 tracks. Jagged riffs, rugged vocals, and heavy-hitting drums provide the base from which some memorable lyricism emerges.
It’s the next song where things really get going, though. “Burn the Disco” has some great energy in the riffs, with a strong post-hardcore flavour to them. You can almost hear a bit of Neurosis in there at times. This is possibly my favourite song on the mini-album, with the repeated breaks of “the party is over” adding to the power of the instrumentals when they come back in.
Meanwhile, tracks like “The Neon Suit” and “Replica Wires” have a slightly more alternative rock sound to them. It sounds like there might be a bit of Thurston Moore influence to the guitars, keeping things interesting (and noisy!).
This kind of variety can be found across the album, but it’s all held together by consistency in the vocal department. While Pedersen’s vocals, delivered in a shouty, punk-inspired manner, can be a bit jarring at first, they ultimately stick the landing, bringing a kind of reserved intensity to proceedings.
The guitars, bass, and drums are all performed to a high level, going exactly where the music needs them to. It sounds like the album was recorded on a modest budget, and this sometimes holds it back from really reaching its full potential. Of course, music of this nature shouldn’t be defined by money and resources, but it’s enticing to imagine what a fleshed-out, full-album experience would have sounded like. Unfortunately, with the dissolution of the group in 2008, we will likely never find out.
Adapt in Codes is a fantastic release that kicks you around and beats you blue, but somehow leaves you wanting more long after the beating is done. In a world of endless choice and overstimulation, that sounds like the perfect reason to listen.
http://amusi.bandcamp.com/album/adapt-in-codes
