GIG REVIEW – Sohn: June 24 at Oxford Art Factory

After watching the possessed flailing of young electronic sensation Guerre, it was obvious that tonight was not going to be the average gig. Ambient and obscure sounds course through this tiny basement, as beats sporadically kick in and distorted vocals leave the audience both bewildered and intrigued. Guerre’s music is astronomically abstract, but there is a positive impression that lingers long after he walks off the stage and straight to the bar.

Barely 25 minutes later and the three men have taken the stage. As his companions flank him, London-born Vienna-based creator Sohn faces out into the crowd with noticeable gratitude.

While it looks like three nerdy dudes about to embark on the biggest Call of Duty marathon of their lives, the sounds they create are shatteringly brilliant. Progressive beats, mellow vibes and the perfection of Sohn’s, aka Christopher Taylor’s, vocals leave the crowd spell-bound with hardly a movement to be seen. All are enraptured, as he races through pivotal songs Tremors, Artiface Bloodflows and a spellbinding rendition of Tempest.

Rounding off with The Wheel, it’s obvious that there is a power to this man that no one can define. Breathtaking to say the least. (CD)

Tremors by Sohn, out now via 4AD/Remote Control Records
Ex Nihilo by Guerre, out July 4 via Yes Please/Remote Control Records