After 3 albums of hip-hop/metal/experimental hardcore at their most aggressive in their social commitment, what direction should an artist like Backxwash take? Without qualifying as a healing album, Only Dust Remains slightly calms the ardor of its predecessors, giving way to a wider palette of sounds.
Thematically, the tracks WAKE UP and History of Violence still convey all the anger and social injustices that fuel Backxwash’s music. Biblical references are still present, including numerous mentions of heaven (e.g. 9th Heaven, Stairway to Heaven). But musically, these subjects are treated with much more nuance and serenity than before. The vocal tones know how to be aggressive when necessary, but there is otherwise much less shouting and swearing than usual. Complementing this, the productions are hushed, reminiscent of a kind of shoegaze that is as much electronic as it is composed of analog vocal and instrumental samples. There are occasional departures from this aesthetic, as with the references to Indian music (tabla, sitar, vocals) on Undesirable. Generally speaking, the tracks flow naturally into each other, making for a 40-minute listening experience, a conciseness that is much appreciated here.
In short, Only Dust Remains is better listened to with eyes closed, immersed in contemplation, than with a knife between the teeth, ready to go to war. A pivotal album in the career of this artist, who seems intent on broadening his creative horizons.
