ZOOMERCORE
OTTO - Clam Day
Brooklyn native Otto Benson makes his debut for Frank Ocean collaborator Vegyn's record label PLZ Make It Ruins. A truly fun record, Clam Day takes elements of Aphex Twin and mixes the glitchy, 170 bpm percussion with the childlike aesthetics of early Animal Collective. The Sung Tongs comparison is one that will immediately be apparent to listeners with a soft spot for Panda Bear and the gang's early work. Clam Day is first and foremost an IDM record, but there is a lot more than heady breakbeats on this LP.OTTO is not precious with his production, eschewing typical snares for dog barks and goofy sound effects. In this sense, some album cuts, like "Sprained My Ankle In Gristedes Juice Aisle" and "Kwop Kwop Theme" wouldn't be out of place in a Dylan Brady Minecraft set. Other tracks, such as "Wash Your Hands," ditch the digital audio interface for a stripped down, bedroom pop approach to song. Still, OTTO doesn't let you get too sweet or sincere in these tracks - as the chords gently strum, the listeners are hit with the chorus "wash your hands when you pee on me."
While there are some truly funny moments on Clam Day, the album is not just twee gimmicks; OTTO has serious chops as a IDM producer. The drumming on this record is impressive, and OTTO also has a knack for catchy synth melodies. Boards of Canada fans would appreciate some of the more techno cuts such as "Valentino Couture Crusty Crayon" and "Rain Jacket and Shorts." And of course, like any good 2020 IDM album, the Richard D. James influence is present throughout the mix.
I initially gave this album a listen because I thought the album art was really funny. I later learned OTTO himself does all the artwork himself. The most accessible tracks "Guess my Crush" and "Crystal Hole" drew me in, but the kitschy aesthetics of the tracks that followed kept me coming back for more. OTTO's goofy, jovial approach to songwriting provided a warm and welcome soundtrack to my daily routine. This year has been weird, and I've found myself listening to less music and more podcasts (usually COVID-related) than before. Sometimes it takes an original, inspired album like Clam Day to reignite a passion for music that had been quarantined (hehe) in my brain. I'm excited to hear more of what OTTO has to offer, but until then, I will have my mask on, headphones in, Clam Day cranked, humming lyrics about getting peed on.