Systemisch cover

Systemisch

Released

The following year’s 94Diskont might be Oval’s ‘classic,’ but 1993’s Systemisch is the one where Markus Popp and collaborators set out their stall. It’s the first Oval album fully to highlight the glitches manifest in digital technology – in this case, the skipping and clicking of stuttering compact discs – but Oval manage to make mistakes seductive, errors erotic. The textures of the opening “Textuell” are notched and rife with slubs, but they still billow and crinkle like the most luxuriant fabrics; “Aero Deck” has a weirdly catchy pop melody buried underneath scratchy, itchy patterns that sound like goosepimples feel. There are moments where Oval’s critiques of digital audio are clearer – see song titles like “Post-Post,” “Mediation,” “Catchy DAAD” – but it’s always in service of sensuous delight, even if you could probably get away with explaining Oval as an art-school project in capsized design.

Jon Dale

Recommended by

Suggestions
Albergo Intergalattico Spaziale cover

Albergo Intergalattico Spaziale

Albergo Intergalattico Spaziale
Another Evening At Logos 1974 79 81 cover

Another Evening At Logos 1974 79 81

Max Eastley, Derek Bailey, COUM Transmissions, Logos Ensemble, Feminist Improvising Group
Around cover

Around

Tom Verlaine
Son cover

Son

Duval Timothy, Rosie Lowe
The End Times cover

The End Times

Andrew Chalk
Youth in Mourning cover

Youth in Mourning

Philip Johnson