Beatsystem '2297' Review

It is generally considered that music is art. Art is hard to define, and as such, it is my opinion that the majority of music should be considered as simply music. However, the minority of music is undoubtably art; expressed in an infinitely deeper and complex manner, often challenging and - even more often - misunderstood. In an album where less than half of the tracks have a recognisable time signature, the latter is definitely the case for '2297'. Throughout the album, the listener is exposed to a wealth of emotions from the artist, ranging from joy to distress. Definitely not an album for the feint-hearted.

The introductory track, 'Invade Areas Where Nothing's Definite', is a mismatch of sampled sounds, conveying frustration, as though the artist is struggling to get their true message across. This conjured in my mind the scene from The Matrix, in which the main character Neo has his mouth sealed over with his own face- he has no way of communicating his message of anguish.

'For Pierre' is a track very much open for interpretation, particularly in the latter part of the track... with sounds similar to those heard in a fairground, interrupted by the shocking inclusion of what sounds like gunshots... or is that fireworks? This is art at it's best, allowing the audience to develop their own connotations of the sounds, and conjuring a wealth of emotions, dependent on the listener's perceptions.

'Closely Tuned Drone' is the final track, and to me, is the artists exploration of the development of life. It begins with a drone, representing the development of a foetus prior to birth. The track develops to become very playful, portraying a freedom of exploration and discovery - reminiscent of childhood. Next comes the suggestion of maturity, responsibility and an increased level of seriousness, implying the growth from a child into an independent adult. The track then descends, which to me represents old age - a feeling of captivity and frustration caused by illness and incapacity, followed eventually by death. Interestingly, the track then begins to become playful again, perhaps suggesting the freedom found through death and leaving this life? Finally, the track once again drops, becoming mysterious, which could suggest an uncertainty of what really may occur after death.

As an album, '2297' explores a range of emotions and situations in very interesting, artistic ways. More challenging than your everyday electronica album, it takes time and patience to develop an understanding with the artist. It also requires you to process your own interpretations and deal with the emotions that this can stir. '2297' is well worth the money and time, if only to begin to understand and explore the artist's emotions. Again, definitely not an album for the feint-hearted.