A. G. Cook - Apple review: Abrasive and jarring, yet bizarrely compelling

Frequently abrasive and jarring, yet bizarrely compelling — there’s a reason why A. G. Cook’s music has been labelled the “most divisive of the decade”.

Having founded the PC Music collective (which holds computer sounds and synths dear to its heart), the 30-year-old has released what he calls his “second debut album” — and with just 10 tracks instead of 49, it’s certainly more accessible than the first (which came out just last month). Futuristic pop number Beautiful Superstar and autotune-led Oh Yeah are the closest to conventional, while low-tempo Haunted is an ideal gateway into Cook’s world. Airhead is another lighter jaunt but the full force of Cook’s creativity emerges on the louder, more chaotic tracks.

Xxoplex crashes in with a string of forceful, energetic synths, before church-like vocals kick in and the beat intensifies even further. At risk of sounding like my grandmother, it’s very loud. Stargon is intoxicating, its layers of noise somehow becoming unexpectedly emotive.

While they’re definitely not catchy or instantly listenable, there’s something oddly fascinating about Cook’s most arresting efforts.