Listening report – John Oswald

 

Prof. Dr. Herzogenrath

The Future of Avantgarde-Music

Blaha, Malte C.

Matrikelnummer 7509502

 

Listening report – John Oswald

I would describe John Oswald’s music as a radical sonic exploration that defies conventional Mash-Up-Music. Listening to the complete Album of Oswald, it is safe to state that he challenges the very foundations of music. He kind of bends the boundaries of sound and rhythm to create a wholly unique sonic experience. It sounds like a fearless approach and experimentation of what music and Avantgarde Music can be. It is a mixture of a-rhythmical sounds that tend to make sense when put together. Then, Oswald interrupts the melody and the Mash-Up with something completely different. The result can vary in the sense of musical recognition. While one person might hear the vibrant sounds of singing women, the other person might hear the outstanding cut rhythms that have a similar characterization than early Rock music. At the heart of Oswald’s music, I can hear a deep curiosity about the possibilities of sound.

It stands out that his Album composition is marked by an intricate layer of sonic elements: ranging from densely textures to spares, and haunting melodies. This complex interplay -or let’s say the first of its kind: Mash-up- of sounds creates a dynamic and constantly shifting sonic landscape. There are a lot of unexpected twists and turns. Nevertheless, there is no traditional harmonic structure, but rather an exploration of the full potential of sound as a medium for expression. Even though it can sound like it, I do not think that Oswald’s music is just an exercise in experimentation for its own sake. There is a deep emotional resonance that is hearable in the endless human voices that he cut together. The music is also challenging. One must think about the complexity that Oswald put into his work to achieve this kind of asymmetric result.

It really stands out that Oswald was capable to mix any kind of musical idea with any kind of idea that came to his mind. I mean, never have I ever heard a Nirvana song next to (that was at least my very conception) Michael Jackson.