Cosmic Intoxication

Cosmic Intoxication is first official EP from the artist known as Tokimonsta.  One of the more interesting things I noticed at first is that album is under the Hip-Hop/Rap category in the iTunes Store library.   On my initial listen I would have guessed it be considered more of a Trip-Hop, Leftfield, or even an Electronica album. Genres in the end can truly distract from the music itself and insert unneeded disagreement. In the spirit of original Hip-Hop individuality, this classification does make logical sense or more importantly this may be an artistic statement from Tokimonsta. Cosmic Intoxication is an album for those in a mood for thinking.  I would suggest it for those who are seeking audio accompaniment to help refocus their brain while relaxing or absorbed in work.  Most of the songs do not have the typical arrangement of vocals, verse, and chorus reiterations, and thus have a less fixed prescription of emotion.  The album is almost an ode to the samples that are at the core of many of the songs.  The tracks are like baroque platforms for the samples which are then sanded to a impeccable fit.  Without customary song lyrics the album has an androgynous atmosphere, and gives more than enough space for the listener to project their own judgments about its meaning. Imaginably this is music without intent, almost a technical approach with plentiful amounts of well timed soul.  I have heard this album numerous times and often forget that it has even ended and started again, as if the music, with distinctive rhythms and melodies, creates a temporary neural network.   The first song in the album, “Playing with Toys,” transports us to the peak of a hectic workday in a cosmic post industrial society. Synth sounds, strings and staccato beats introduce us to an interplanetary quartet that is slightly out of tune. In “Doing It My Way,” the second song, we hear the voice of the protagonist moving along contemplating work until disturbed by a loud, and somewhat sensual, female sigh. The musical core, an alien voice, and sigh mix together until there is silence. The song “Smoke & Mirrors” is the completion of the work day, filled with rest and nostalgia.   Here we are given the chance for some profounder reflection of this cosmic existence without abandoning defined rhythm. After a few seconds of silence, “Aching Nodes,” is new variant of earlier topics but this time we are hearing it from a phased perspective from another dimension. The sounds are further processed, we hear things in reverse but the beat and chief melody line keep things moving forward. “Line To Dot,” the fifth track, takes us to a celebration of samples in what sounds like fused classic jazz vocals, piano and horns.  It is what Wall-E would listen to going through the wreckage of his earth. The song’s samples brings us to face with the often befuddling realities of modern history, science and commerce however the soulfulness keeps us grounded. “Glaring Lights” starts with applause and emphases looping vocal and horn samples.  The assorted synths and rhythms keep the song moving. The album closes with the most conventional and perhaps most haunting song of the album.  “Let Me Trick You,” has its allure driven by the female vocal lead from a rendition of “Whatever Lola Wants.” Tokimonsta inserts deep, sinister, cinematic baselines which accentuate the vocals. The result is a well hewn, very addictive song.  We can envisage our interplanetary comrade enjoying this retro-future experience of high definition celebration and contemplation.