Yikes the Zero is a talented producer, composer and artist from Philadelphia. I have been in awe by his ability to paint a canvas so vivid, experimental and concise on an album.
His new album Doctor Molotov’s Gallery of Portals features 12 tracks of gripping, sinister and euphoric music, all bottled up into what I see as a concept album (a journey through the mind of Doctor Molotov, a mad scientist trying find his own sanity through a gallery of portals, which are in this case the canvas I was talking about). From the chilling opener ‘Shipwreck’ to the gorgeous, string-driven ‘The Way Home,’ this album is a comprehensive guide to Yikes the Zero’s vision, which is twisted, haunted, mystifying and exciting. Other highlights include ‘Suspension Bridge,’ which is a cartoon-sampling, hazy and disorienting trip, and the dynamic closing tracks ‘Lumps’ and ‘Disgusting Exodus.’ This is a hip-hop album drenched with free-jazz and dark electronic influences, and the fact that this feels like a complete body of work makes it a contender for one of the albums of the year.
Listen to Yikes the Zero’s Doctor Molotov’s Gallery of Portals below via Bandcamp, and make sure you support in any way you can. Released on Extra Lovely Records.
Pingback: Music: Yikes The Zero – An Echo Storm Howling – In Search of Media