By Keith Walsh
With “Too Civilized,” New York’s City’s Pas Musique delivers social criticism, in a package with abstract, minimal melodies, strange noises, and electronic beats. With its on-the-nose sociological philosophy and post-modern concerns, “Too Civilized” is a bit dark.
The experimental tune transforms from beats and glitches, to almost spoken vocals, then a clangorous middle section, then another vocal section that’s a new kind of strange rap. At one point, main man Robert L. Pepper shows his paintings, holding up a mirror to society through his own art and some A.I. video footage. There’s an element of performance art in the video as well, as Pepper’s motions and gestures are dramatically out of sync with the lyrics. There’s a stunning use of digital effects that reveal more of Pepper’s artistry and his skill at avoiding overuse of FX. In the video’s final moments, Pepper’s profile fills the right half of the screen, and the resemblance to Abraham Lincoln is too close to be a coincidence.
Pepper is a visual artist whose strong attraction to the music of British avant-garde electronic artist Fad Gadget inspired his music career. He imbues his work with the same quirkiness that Fad Gadget’s Francis Tobey did. Coming from a visual art background, Pepper’s sounds and lyrics are conceptual, and his album and single artwork covers are his own creations.
“Too Civilized’ is his first effort at adding vocals, and when they kick in midway, it’s with an edgy sense of social criticism that may seem shocking or blunt. The name ‘Pas Musique ‘, meaning ‘No Music,’ is provocative, as it leans into atonalism and invites criticism from the less daring among music listeners. Pepper began making sound and visual presentations in 1995, and has performed in 17 countries and all around the United States.
The song is from the forthcoming album “Come Follow Me,” which is a tribute to Fad Gadget and Francis Tovey. It will be released July 12 on Alrealon Musique, a NYC-based label.
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