Olga Bell - Tempo
9/10
Olga Bell is a classical pianist and electronica experimenter. Moscow born, Alaska raised, and now New York resident, each location has hopefully left its mark on her creativity.
Power User melds hard beats, bass, sinister synth and some deep clipped lyrics. Doppio slows down and retunes vocals for extra distortion, “That pic is worth a million clicks” slicing through the shallow nature of the internet stars. Check out the video for Randomness; its disorientating, adventurous choreography and club skills are perfect as a filter to see the whole piece of work through. Her diversions into trip hop are just as dazzling, a truly revitalising approach to a completely English genre.
Zone is a slice of 90’s swing but spooky and drunk, Ritual changes tack and provides the most traditional tune on the album - a bonafide deep house anthem. The quality continues - the final tunes twist the knife into your façade of values and morals; a lullaby delivery and Ant Rap percussion on Your Life Is A Lie, and polemical and unconventional Portishead-esque darkness on Stomach It are multi-layered and unrelenting.
Closing with America, a brutal takedown of the contemporary soul of America, via huge bass and hearty beats, “Is that what you fear, that you’re not forever?” I’d follow Olga for at least that long.
9/10
