회사AUTO - Neuro

Released: April 26

In his newest release, vaporwave heavyweight 회사AUTO touches on a rather sad note but one very close to his heart. Neuro is entirely dedicated to bringing awareness the ALS, also known as Lou Gerhig's disease. It's a terrible disease that takes the lives of thousands every year and 회사AUTO experienced this when he lost someone very close to him to the disease. As such, Neuro captures a perfect tone in approaching the subject. It's not overly mopey or distressed, but there is that feeling just in the background that can't be shaken. The album opener, "Saint Katherine," set this up well as there are seemingly two conflicting parts in its structure. First, there is a light and airy part that seems almost whimsical like being in the town square in a Super Nintendo RPG. But then there is a second part that strikes a darker note but ultimately keeps with the mood set by the first part. It's an interesting combination that sets the dynamic overall for the album. 

Overall the album is very dynamic in its moods as it seems to go from celebratory to despondent throughout. "Physical Therapy Plateau," despite the title feels very much in the more celebratory category as we get some very rather playful sounding chiptune-esque synths and energetic guitar riffing and soloing. Then the next track, "Magnetic Resonance Imaging," strikes a more somber tone with deep vocal pads juxtaposed against a rather breakcore-inspired rhythm. It's really pretty neat the way all these different genres and techniques are tied together to create pieces that feel vibrant and even energetic at times, especially considering the overall subject matter of the album itself. 

Nearing the end of the album, the tone shifts decidedly and the more energetic bits fade away and the introspective melancholy takes over much of the later tracks. But the beautiful and vibrant expression of this melancholy is both odd and soothing. Like we all have to experience grief, but the way in which it is expressed can vary wildly. In 회사AUTO's case, he approaches it as though it is something beautiful in a unique way to be encountered and expressed. This perspective shines through on "Weeping to Vashon" in which things get a little shoegaze-y with softly plucked guitar chords that lead almost seamlessly into "Stages of Grief." The album ends with "Falling Apart, Looking Up, Hoping," which wraps up the whole theme of the album, both musically and emotionally, in a succinct moment of hope in the face of a life's greatest struggle.