Review: 100 gecs – 1000 gecs and The Tree of Clues

What’s good music heads, the new 100 gecs album is finally here! Sorry I have been skipping over a lot of releases, but four more weeks until I am back to my regularly scheduled posting. Here is the review:

I don’t think 100 gecs needs much of an introduction, but if you don’t know about this outfit, they are an up-and-coming experimental dance, electronic, hip-hop, horrorcore (the list could literally go on forever) duo consisting of Laura Les and Dylan Brady. It is quite difficult to describe their music, but I personally describe it as electronically mashed up hip-hop rap and singing with dubstep influences. The aforementioned description is a mass generalization because many other genre influences are more portrayed on certain tracks than others. After their debut album 1000 gecs released, fans have been heavily anticipating what they were going to do next; I did not know what to expect, but definitely did not expect a remix album. Honestly, a remix album is particularly fitting because 100 gecs’ music includes so many remix elements; however, I did not have high hopes because remix albums are generally not good. Specifically, my reasoning is that remix albums are literally just songs that already exist, which are altered, showing little to no musical effort. Surprisingly, I enjoyed 1000 gecs and The Tree of Clues, and how fitting is it that 100 gecs is the group that created such a great remix album?

I will not be doing a usual track-by-track analysis because lyrical analysis would be redundant (listen to the original album first), and there are some duplicate tracks on this album that are remixed or feature different people. Instead, I will showcase specific tracks that diverge drastically from the original or include new aspects that enhance the listening experience.

- Money Machine (A.G. Cook Remix) – The album starts with a distorted, quiet version of the intro of Money Machine. Then, the track is continuously flooded with these amazing electronic effects and production with the inclusion of strings, specific lo-fi sections, and layered vocals. The song ends with a completely shredded version of the original song with a barely listenable chorus.

- ringtone (Remix) – 100 gecs invites Charli XCX to sing the chorus with her perfect pop voice, Kero Kero Bonito to contribute a cute playful verse, and Rico Nasty for an extremely catchy autotuned rap verse. This track is by far better than the original with the features and generally nastier production.

- 745 sticky (Injury Reserve Remix) – This is one of the less recreationally listenable songs with a very strange beat from the experimental rap group. It is an interesting, notable collaboration between the two groups, but the song does not sound like a remix. Honestly, it can be considered an entirely new song that uniquely incorporates 745 sticky as a sample.

- hand crushed by a mallet (5th track remix) – Definitely a standout track, hand crushed by a mallet features an interesting group of artists that includes Out Boy, Craig Owens, and Nicole Dollanganger. They progress through the whole song as each feature completely changes the sound and vibe of the song to fit their style. I love the way these three verses are strung together, and the song ends by spiraling into deep, heavy, loud, and stuttering distortion.

- stupid horse (Remix) – GFOTY and Count Baldor are featured on this remix of the original hit song stupid horse. The choruses and lyrics are slightly altered, but the track is one of the more lackluster remixes; however, they do have that interesting feature.

- 745 sticky (Black Dresses Remix) – This is by far the superior 745 sticky remix by the recently disbanded group Black Dresses who is coming off the release and banning of their critically acclaimed Peaceful as Hell. It is a true shame that the duo has separated but I am so glad they left us with this remix. The song is so uniquely Black Dresses, executing some killer experimental pop production layered with the unrestrained screaming. If you enjoy Black Dresses you must listen to this song; it reminds me why I miss them so much.

- gecgecgec (Remix) – Lil West and Tony Velour provide a more conventional hip-hop song with Laura Les passionately belching her original verse from the song at the end.

- gec 2 U (13th track remix) – The amazing Dorian Electra joins this remix to contribute their genderless vocals to a more ecstatic version of the song.

- hand crushed by a mallet (nothankyouremix) – This is a rock-feel remix that transitions into an utter distortion that is so extreme that the listener can barely hear the melody over the extremely loud lo-fi mixing.

- came to my show – Laura Les sings about how it hurts when a specific person does not go to her shows on this new original song. There are fast, high-pitched piano segments that play above usual Dylan Brady production with intentionally lo-fi vocals.

- toothless – Also a new song that is outshined by all the creative remixes on this album. The autotune singing is boring.

- small pipe – This is another new song, which was recorded live at fishcenter. The song is merely a wind instrument playing in short spurts over light guitar riffs. It feels very silly.

- 800db cloud – The album ends with a live recording of the song 800db cloud that is performed in a much more passionately screaming manner. I love the aggressive, scratchy adlibs. Laura Les’s low-pitched yelling towards the end is even more enhanced with her live vocals.

In short, this is my favorite remix album ever (I do not see myself enjoying any other remix album any time soon). 100 gecs did a great job at gathering so many passionate and interesting musicians to be featured or to remix certain songs. The majority of the tracks are executed phenomenally, creating cutting-edge production, unique verses, and the most lo-fi/distorted songs I have ever heard. This remix album is no joke and should be valued like any studio album as the effort and creativity to create the LP is the same as creating an entirely new project. Cohesion is obviously mitigated since the tracks are remixes and I do not think any remix album can be better than the original (yes, even if it is 100 gecs). However, 1000 gecs and The Tree of Clues is an outstanding remix album that really helps you question what you are listening to.

Favorite Tracks: both remixes of hand crushed by a mallet, the first ringtone remix, money machine, and 745 sticky (Black Dresses Remix)

Least Favorites: ringtone (umru Remix)

Pretty Good Album: 7.7