4 out 5

Label: Un Je-Ne-Sais-Quoi

Produced by: ?

This is when I just nod.

I can’t say I knew what to expect from another mixtape from experimental French label Un Je-Ne-Sais-Quoi; not that it means anything, but the contributing DJ having an unpronounceable name of symbols added to that confounding. I… assumed a mix of underground French pop, swilled creatively together, and maybe that’s not not what this is, but that’s also not what this is.

I’d guess if i spoke / was French, some of these crackly radio tubes and fuzzy samples would either be more familiar to me, or at least have some more context. But I don’t speak French, or German, or Japanese – all making appearances here – so I can only go based on vibes. Which are weird.

It’s an experimental label; it’s an experimental mixtape. Which makes sense, I just don’t know that I’ve heard one before. So we float / drift from vocal clips to tunes, and it seems normal enough – though DJ **** is happy to dally on interstitial nonsense – and once you get on the wavelength, it grooves. Then the electro krautrock track drops. Then, nearly the whole B-side is a gauntlet of noise and repetition. I’m half-annoyed; I’m half fascinated. My hand hovers over a stop button, but I keep listening. When it ends… I go again.

This thing is seamless, stitching together all the styles mentioned without any lame trickery. As such, you’re easily transported to its world, which is surely one entered via psychedelics and madness.

I’m still just nodding, not really sure what to say.  The mix is pleasant with frayed edges, then quite caustic, but it goes down smooth.