The Zaxons
- R.A.G.
- Jun 5
- 2 min read
There is something refreshing about an album that commits fully to its own world without worrying whether listeners will immediately understand the rules. Videopticons, the latest release from The Zaxons, operates according to a peculiar internal logic where post-punk basslines, lo-fi production, wiry guitar work, and off-kilter synth textures coexist in a space that often sounds as if it were transmitted from a forgotten college radio station somewhere between 1982 and the present day. The songs are rough around the edges by design, but beneath that surface is a band with a clear sense of identity and an appreciation for melodic hooks hidden inside unusual arrangements.
“Keswick Cutouts” opens the album with a playful combination of gothic atmosphere and buzzing synthesizers that occasionally resemble vintage video game soundtracks. The title track follows a similar path, propelled by a bassline that serves as the song’s foundation while guitars and keyboards dart around it. “Mumpsimus” introduces brighter melodies but also embraces dissonant intervals and subtle pitch bends that give the song an uneasy quality. “Bidston” was one of the tracks that immediately caught my attention. Its colorful melodies and eccentric energy reminded me of the adventurous side of Of Montreal without sounding derivative.
“Adrian Knows” ended up being a highlight. I liked the vocal melody, the shifting arrangements, and the way the band balances technical precision with spontaneity. “Kingsgate Spiral” incorporates a hazy guitar tone that brushes against shoegaze territory, while “Rhys Replica” raises the intensity with larger dynamics and some of the album’s most forceful moments. “Television Play” also delivers a number of memorable passages, particularly when the arrangement opens up and allows the melodies to take center stage.
The production remains consistently lo-fi throughout the record, with vocals often sitting deep in the mix. The grainy textures and unpolished presentation become part of the album's appeal, helping establish a sound that is immediately recognizable as The Zaxons' own. Videopticons is full of unusual ideas, strong grooves, and enough melodic charm to reward listeners willing to spend time inside its strange and often fascinating world.
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