Ethan Clarke
Go Plastic is the fifth studio album by British electronic musician Tom Jenkinson, released under the alias of Squarepusher. The album showcases Jenkinson's unique style, blending elements of jungle, jazz, drum and bass, and synthesizer experiments. With its complex compositions, Go Plastic is an intense and unpredictable listening experience that challenges conventions and pushes the boundaries of electronic music. It received generally favorable reviews, with an average score of 70 out of 100 on Metacritic, indicating its critical acclaim. The album is known for its synthetic sound palette, high-velocity breakbeats, and experimental production techniques, making it a landmark release in the world of electronic music.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Artist | Squarepusher (Tom Jenkinson) |
| Album | Go Plastic |
| Genre | Drill N' Bass, Bombastic, Ambient, Glitch, IDM, Breakcore |
| Track Count | 10 |
| Release Date | 25 June 2001 |
| Record Label | Warp Records |
| Peak Position | 100 on the UK Albums Chart |
| Rating | 70/100 on Metacritic |
| Fan Favourite Tracks | My Red Hot Car, The Exploding Psychology, I Wish You Could Talk, Go! Spastic, Boneville Occident, My Fucking Sound |
| Least Favourite Track | Greenways Trajectory |
| Production | Utilized hardware like Eventide DSP4000, Yamaha QY700, Yamaha TX81Z, Akai S6000 |
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What You'll Learn
The unique sound of Go Plastic
The album's sound palette is almost exclusively synthetic, marking a departure from Jenkinson's earlier albums, which featured prominent live instrumentation. In creating Go Plastic, Jenkinson sought to eschew traditional instruments, opting for a "brutal and digital" approach. This shift is reflected in the album's high-velocity breakbeats, intricate sound samples, and mutated hip-hop beats, all of which contribute to its unique sound.
The synthetic sound of Go Plastic was achieved through the use of hardware such as digital effects processors, sequencers, synthesizers, and samplers. This hardware allowed Jenkinson to manipulate and transform the sounds, resulting in the complex and unpredictable compositions that characterise the album.
Go Plastic has received generally favourable reviews, with an average score of 70 out of 100 on Metacritic based on 17 reviews. It has been described as an explosion of sound, blending multiple genres within a single song. The album's unique sound has been praised for its energy, with some listeners claiming it elicited an actual "what the fuck" reaction upon first listen.
Overall, the unique sound of Go Plastic can be characterised by its fusion of genres, complex compositions, synthetic sound palette, and high-energy beats. It stands as a testament to Jenkinson's talent and willingness to push the boundaries of musical convention.
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The album's critical reception
Go Plastic, the fifth studio album by British electronic musician Tom Jenkinson, was released under the alias of Squarepusher through Warp Records on 25 June 2001. The album received generally favourable reviews from critics. At Metacritic, an aggregator of mainstream critic reviews, Go Plastic received an average score of 70 out of 100 based on 17 reviews.
The album is characterised by its fusion of jungle, jazz, hardcore, drum-n-bass, spaced-out-acid-jazz, and avant-garde synthesizer sounds. The sound palette is almost exclusively synthetic, with high-velocity breakbeats, granular effects, and intricate, pulsating rhythms. This marked a shift from Jenkinson's earlier albums, which featured more live instrumentation.
One review on Amazon.com highlights the album's intense and unpredictable nature, noting that it is "hard to comprehend just how much time was spent" on the complex compositions. The reviewer also mentions the album's "bombastic production choices" and how it elicited a reaction of "what the fk". Another review on the same platform calls the album “uneven”, with some tracks being described as "frickin' great" while others may not be of the same quality.
A Reddit user describes the album as "next level", praising its "insane drum programming". This user also highlights how Go Plastic demonstrates that one can create bonkers jungle/drum and bass-influenced music without resorting to breakcore.
Overall, Go Plastic received critical acclaim for its innovative sound, complex compositions, and intense energy, solidifying Squarepusher's talent and genius in the world of electronic music.
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The creative process behind the album
In an interview, Jenkinson expressed his desire to move away from real instruments, seeking a "brutal and digital" sound. This shift in approach resulted in a unique and innovative style, blending elements of jungle, drum-n-bass, spaced-out acid jazz, and avant-garde synthesizer experiments.
The album's creative process involved utilizing a range of hardware, including digital effects processors, sequencers, synthesizers, and samplers. This combination of tools allowed Jenkinson to craft intricate compositions with complex programming, pulsating rhythms, and mutated hip-hop beats.
Go Plastic is characterized by its high-energy tracks, with blistering BPM rates and dynamic soundscapes. Each song has its own personality and imagery, often exploring themes of speed, adrenaline, and the consequences of fast driving. The album challenges traditional genre boundaries, defying easy categorization and showcasing Jenkinson's talent for pushing musical boundaries.
The creative process behind Go Plastic demonstrates Jenkinson's willingness to experiment, his mastery of hardware, and his ability to create complex and innovative electronic music. The album stands as a testament to his artistic vision and unique sound, earning its place as a landmark release in the electronic music genre.
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The standout tracks
Standout tracks from Squarepusher's Go Plastic include "My Red Hot Car", which has been described as a great introduction to the artist's style, and "Boneville Occident", which explores the consequences of driving fast. Other notable songs include "The Exploding Psychology", "I Wish You Could Talk", and "Go! Spastic".
The album, described as Squarepusher's most crazy and wonky work, is characterised by its high-velocity breakbeats, extensive manipulation, and granular effects. It showcases Squarepusher's unique style, fusing head-nodding hardcore and drum-n-bass with spaced-out-acid-jazz and avant-garde synthesizer experiments.
Go Plastic has received generally favourable reviews, with an average score of 70 out of 100 on Metacritic, indicating its critical acclaim. It is known for its complex compositions, with one listener commenting that it requires many listens in different mind states to fully grasp the monumentality of the tracks.
The album has also been described as cold, dark, and overstimulating, a stark contrast to Squarepusher's other albums, which are often described as wild, bright, and fun. This album is a testament to Squarepusher's talent and willingness to push boundaries, creating music that defies generic categorisation.
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How Go Plastic compares to Squarepusher's other albums
Go Plastic, released in 2001, is Squarepusher's return to his drill-and-bass roots after a detour into lo-fi jazz. It is considered by some to be a masterpiece and one of the best electronic albums ever made, with one reviewer claiming that it is "when Squarepusher made his mark".
The album has been described as abrasive, aggressive, and intense, with chaotic and incoherent song structures. It is also said to be meticulously produced, with exciting twists and turns. Some have criticised the album as being generic and full of cliches, with one reviewer claiming that it made them "angry".
Compared to Squarepusher's previous work, Go Plastic is said to be a return to form, with the artist taking his signature sound to the next level. The album is also considered to be a revival of drum and bass, a genre that was becoming passé at the time.
In terms of specific tracks, Greenways Trajectory has been described as a strong point of the album, with its violent collapse in the middle. The Exploding Psychology is also highlighted as an excellent track, with its freakness and brilliant come-down finish. Boneville Occident is another standout, with its in-your-face breaks. My Red Hot Car is considered by some to be a sweetly infectious tune, while others find it disturbing.
Compared to other albums released in 2001, Go Plastic is said to have lagged behind. Aphex Twin's "Drukqs" and Autechre's "Confield" are mentioned as examples of more innovative and boundary-pushing albums released in the same year. However, Go Plastic is still considered a great album by many, with a unique sound and style that sets it apart from other albums of that time.
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Frequently asked questions
Go Plastic is the fifth studio album by British electronic musician Tom Jenkinson, released under the alias of Squarepusher.
Unlike Squarepusher's earlier albums, which featured live instrumentation, Go Plastic's sound palette is almost exclusively synthetic, with an emphasis on high-velocity breakbeats and extensive effects.
Notable tracks from the album include "My Red Hot Car", "Boneville Occident", "The Exploding Psychology", and "Go! Spastic".
Go Plastic received generally favorable reviews, with an average score of 70 out of 100 on Metacritic. Exclaim placed it at number 2 on its list of "an essential guide to Squarepusher" in 2015.
