OPHÅNIM, as well as having a very creative and unique name, has a very creative and unique sound. This is made evident from the opening moments of their self-titled 2021 release, OPHÅNIM. The intro is a shiny, synth-riddled, atmospheric journey. Entitled “Prime Star-Creator,” it certainly sounds like something set in the stars. There’s a grimy ‘80s feel to it. It sounds as if it could have been on the soundtrack for Blade Runner or some other iconic sci-fi film with a dark and sinister ambience. Given that I don’t really listen to instrumental electronic music, I found myself pleasantly surprised; I was hooked on every last synth note.
“Diosa Fortuna” maintains the haunting vibe of the opening track, offering burrowing synths that are heavily drenched in distortion. This time, however, OPHÅNIM offers more of an Aphex Twin vibe, structuring the song with a glitchy beat and brief snippets of vocal samples. There’s a mesmerizing synth lead drone that bursts in and out of the track, and that was the most captivating element of the song for me. There’s real artistry in the layering of this song. Electronica might not be given as much creative credibility as other genres, but artists such as OPHÅNIM definitely deserve as much praise for their musical prowess as a rock or classical artist.
“Transmission” is another atmospheric, densely-layered production, showcasing OPHÅNIM‘s attention to detail. I certainly didn’t overlook the amount of thought that must have been put into every single note of every single synth layer. There’s such complexity to the composition of this track, much like every track on the album. I find myself trying to be swept up by the music but also trying to pick out each part of instrumentation. “Transmission,” in particular, stood out as an intricate piece of music. It really grows and transforms as the song progresses. I actually had to check, at one point, that I hadn’t moved onto the next song.
OPHÅNIM is packed with so many songs that clearly showcase the band’s intricacy, and I think that’s a wonderful thing. Why hide the amount of effort that has been put into a piece of art? Simplicity can be beautiful, but OPHÅNIM has set out to demonstrate why complexity is beautiful. I think the mission was a success.
