Android Lust -- Resolution

Track Listing

1. In the Arms of the Heretic
2. Refuse
3. Heathen
4. Cruelty
5. Suffer the Flesh
6. Spine
7. Visceral Stimulation
8. Used
9. Viscera
10. Heathen [Witch's Hammer]
11. Heathen [A Thousand Thoughts]

This is the debut album from New York's Android Lust, a solo project from a talented individual by the name of Shikhee. Although naturally she doesn't like people to dwell on the fact that she is defying most stereotypes surrounding this style of music, it's impossible not to note that this release shatters the preconceived notions of who is actually behind industrial and electronic music. "Don't let the fact that this is a woman's voice fool you into thinking it's going to be pretty" is how Tinman cleverly worded it, which is a good place to set your expectations of this project.

Recorded in a small NY studio apartment, the dark and moody compositions of Resolution comprise one of the most promising debuts I've heard in a long time. The sample heavy music is densely layered with thick sheets of rhythm, pulsing synth lines, and Shikhee's caustic, subtly melodic vocals. The end of the disk features a pair of remixes by the Oneiroid Psychosis duo of Leif and Lars Hansen. They are both different takes on "Heathen", which slightly tweak the synth structures and add different perspectives to the song. The second mix strips the track down the most, and focuses on the vocals and drums as primary points of manipulation.

Overall this is an incredible debut, and if it's to be taken as any indication of things to come then the new remix EP, Evolution, should be worth picking up.