‘Pet Song’ is a striking example of how creative limitations can result in a highly original and fresh piece of music. Penned by Rotterdam-based sonic researcher shortout kid, the track feels otherworldly and fringe, a slice of fuzzy, distorted matter with a highly unique arrangement. The melodic and harmonic material, of course, is nothing new, but the way it’s presented to the public, both from a vocal and production standpoint, makes for a very interesting record, one that is unlike anything we have heard before. That matters: that’s the ultimate end goal of any artistic commitment.
In this case, everything revolves around a mysterious instrument that shortout kid has been working on for the past fifteen years, The Razor Belt. It’s described to us as “combining the looks and fury of a chainsaw and an electric guitar”, a “weapon of choice for creating vicious rock, tiny electro and noise-based silence.” Say no more, we are sold on it! ‘Pet Song’ is evidence of how malleable that instrument can be, and the aural and creative choices that can potentially open up.
Its lo-fi, saturated goo is an attraction for us, but it might not be for everyone. In that regard, shortout kid boasts a very curated image online, one that indulges in a grainy, noisy aesthetic and playful, introspective storytelling. ‘Pet Song’ anticipates a future album, where we’ll likely be able to learn more about The Razor Belt. The vid below might also help with that…
Recommended! Discover ‘Pet Song’ now: