What So Not - Anomaly

ANOMALY REVIEW

You know when a synth is that good it goes right through you and vibrates on your inner core? Anomaly has that from its very first note to the very last. This is music you can feel. Literally. Australian musician/producer extraordinaire, WHAT SO NOT’s new album, Anomaly, is a work of electronic art that takes you on a journey to a wonderous world of his creation. From the relaxed intro ‘Alive’ to the albums final track ‘As One’.

This album has a plethora of collaborations with the likes of Louis the Child, Captain Cuts & JRM on ‘On Air’, Oliver Tree & Killer Mike for ‘Mr Regular’, MØ on ‘Mercy’, and Australian rising star Enschway on ‘Black Shallow’.

Previously released single ‘The Change’ with DMA’s is a punchy song with a vocal track that just sticks in your head, much like Halifax (featuring Phi11a, Zoid Land & Tek Genesis) which is definitely a standout track for this reviewer.

Track 6 ‘On Air’ has floaty music that just sends you to this beautifully zen place then the vocals kick in and it just elevates this song to a whole new level, and it becomes obvious why this song was selected as the single to release just before the Anomaly debut. Think Chainsmokers four years ago but with a harder edge.

‘Messin Me Up’ is a perfect example of an electronic music ballad, with lyrics that resonate and a melodic beat that is as powerful as the vocal content provided by Evan Giia.

The fragmented and disjointed music created for ‘Bad Piano’ continues that journey What So Not wants you to experience, by shifting the mood to a more positive vibe but then you’re hit with ‘Mercy’ (another standout) which should be the next single. MØ’s vocals are the perfect fit for the electronic crescendo that is track 9.

The reverb at the start of ‘Black Shallow’ signals the listener is off again, soaring high into a melodic mood of great heights, and I know I keep coming back to the chain smokers but not their sound now, more when they were in their prime.

The final song ‘As One’ closes out the album on a bright and euphoric note and again the match between vocals (provided by Herizen) and the music is on point and probably showcases the skill that What So Not has as a Producer and Engineer. To be able to balance these both is quite an art, so one doesn’t outshine the other, but he has done it.

Anomaly is a brilliant EDM album, I enjoyed the journey, and I also enjoyed the sneaky first peak at What So Not’s vocal prowess which I hope we are treated to more on future albums.

My favourite Track's Halifax, Mercy, The Change, On Air 

ANOMALY TRACKLIST

1. Alive

2. Anomaly (Feat. AY AY)

3. Mr Regular (Feat. Oliver Tree & Killer Mike)

4. The Change (Feat. DMA'S)

5. Halifax (Feat. Phi11a, Zoid Land & Tek Genesis)

6. On Air (Feat. Louis The Child, Captain Cuts & JRM)

7. Messin' Me Up (Feat. EVAN GIIA)

8. Bad Piano (Feat. Body Ocean & Lucy Lucy)

9. Mercy (2022 Edit) (Feat. MØ)

10. Black Shallow (Feat. Enschway)

11. As One (Feat. Herizen)