I still remember the palpable excitement when Mondocon 2019 arrived and everyone was talking about someone named Mr Eff and his album Eyes Down. I wasn’t there, so I figured I’d never get a chance to hear it. Well, that’s just the naive music-obsessive in me. Of course I was able to get a copy(just not that Mondocon Exclusive Edition, of course), and I was able to hear what all the damn fuss was about.
Eyes Down was a gritty street-heavy slice of big city panic; dirty subway cars, questionable intentions, and the crumbling sprawl of the big rotten apple that was New York City in 1981. Our guide through gang violence, urban decay, and Reagan’s “Morning In America” was musician Mr Eff. He combined woozy synths, bulletproof beats, and an air of horror film delights that transported you to some crumbling sidewalk on the lower east side with temps tickling 95 degrees and rising.
It was top tier electronic music that easily painted a portrait of another time and place. It made us nostalgic for a more dangerous time.
Mr Eff followed up Eyes Down with the enigmatic and dreamy Nostalgia Confessions, a short but sweet sonic shift in mood and vibe. More hazy than Eyes Down, it hinted at Mr Eff wanting to evolve his sound and stretch his musical endeavors to new territory.
And for the true musical explorer Mr Eff released his debut back in 2017 with Giallo Disco Records. The Parallel was yet another side of the Mr Eff musicology, giving us a bloody slice of Giallo that hinted at what was to come.
It has been 5 years since the release of Nostalgia Confessions, and after some tinkering, mixing, and extra sonic care Mr Eff returns with the fantastic and culturally-rich Meditation for Violence.
Meditation for Violence takes inspiration from of all things, Muay Thai. The album brings together the percussive nature of Sarama(a style of music played at Muay Thai events) and Mr Eff’s synthesizer tones. The result is something far richer than just your typical imagined soundtrack.
I will let Mr Eff himself explain the origins and influences; as well as his nature to want to keep evolving and moving his music forward:
“This album grew out of my obsession with Muay Thai. I took it pretty seriously, even had a fight (win by decision), and then promptly tore my calf muscle because I have a problem with taking a rest.“
“Anyhow, there is a specific style of music called Sarama they play at fights. It’s especially important for the pre-fight ritual known as Wai Kru Ram Muay. I became obsessed with it. I found the rhythm of the klong khaek and the dissonance of the Pi Chawa (thai oboe) hypnotic. Originally I wanted to replicate this sound/music with synthesizers but that was discouraging. So I instead focused on the percussion. I built songs around the drums. I found gamelan samples and combined that with synths. When I put it all together I really liked it and went with it. I started imagining a Michael Mann crime movie that involved Muay Thai.“
“In general I am always trying to find new sounds or ideas to bring into my music. I get bored, quickly, with the same old thing.“
The origins of Meditation for Violence even precedes Nostalgia Confessions:
“Funny thing is I wrote/recorded all these 2019. Then the pandemic happened. BW (Burning Witches Records) closed up. Then I became a father and that was my priority. Then White Lotus came out and I fooled myself into thinking listeners would think I leeched off that. Plus, no other labels were interested in releasing it so I kept it on the shelf. Last year I listened through the demos and still felt good about the songs so I started mixing them. I decided to do a self release. I’m proud of how it all turned out and I’m excited for people to hear it.”
Coming in you will recognize Mr Eff’s synth vibes easily. He hasn’t dropped any of the sinister tones and eerie expressionism, but only enhanced it with his use of Sarama samples. This is a very rhythmic record. The intimidating synth buzz of “The Golden Age of Muay Thai” coalesces perfectly with the percussive touches. The cinematic heft of “Escalation and Coercion” feels pulled right out of some gritty William Friedkin film, while the clanging bells of “Traffic” could have come straight out of Nicolas Winding Refn’ excellent Only God Forgives.
Meditation for Violence is a rich, densely-layered album that paints a world of beauty and violence. Bringing together an ancient art of battle with 20th century synth textures to make something wholly unique and essential.
‘Meditation for Violence’ is out now. Go to Mr Eff’s Bandcamp page to listen and buy.
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