
ALBUM REVIEW
Diogenes
Cache Dump
Released December 2017
Diogenes dropped this record in an unassuming way, declaring it simply as “four years worth of random beat and stuff, named by their Ableton file names.” It’s a modesty reminiscent of when Kendrick cast off “untitled unmastered” as some crap taking up space in his junk drawer. Cache Dump is an impressive 37 tracks, humility aside, summing to a lengthy hour an half of new music. In a recent review by The Stranger it was described as “a treasure trove of wonderfully warped instrumentals.” Diogenes is amongst the forefront of Seattle’s beat makers with an impressive back catalogue of transportive, manipulated melodies. Here, extensive crate digging has led to unexpected samples that are then chopped, detuned, reshaped and reassembled. Each track tells a story, each one a mini-movie soundtrack, ranging from familiar to exotic, sometimes warm, sometimes unsettling, sometimes foggy. There’s a lot here to digest over multiple listening sessions, but let me tell you a few personal highlights: The singalong vibe of the ironically-named “shut up,” the easy-flowing “loopin feilds,” and the religious catharsis found in “earthly days.” Calling all vocalists: apparently, many of these beats were intended to be paired with words. Here’s to hoping some of you reach out to Diogenes, and that later this year he treats us to an EP of Cache Dump remixes with vocals and raps.
Find more from