I did not know much about James Nathan Powell, but he hails from Hot Springs Arkansas and describes his work as “Small handmade noise/hnw/loud stuff & pretty stuff.“ Well, if there is one thing that I enjoy, it’s small batch artisinal noise, so let’s dive in and see what recipe Powell has in store for us.

This album consists of nine tracks titled only with Roman numerals. We start off with a very short (42 seconds) dose of extra crunchy noise that gives us a taste of what we are in for. Track II is more static-filled, harsh, stuttering noise that shifts gears with bits of junk noise and some heavily distorted voice. If you've ever wondered what it sounds like to ride in a dryer with a bunch of scrap metal, Powell has you covered. This is not to say that it is all in your face noise. III and VII are both a bit more subdued crackling noise with a helping of static on the side, in the case of VII. But Powell also knows how to let loose, and tracks like VI are completely overdriven to the point of destruction. At the end, IX completely changes registers and offers up a short piano piece with a lot of background hiss and what sounds like cicadas. This is not harsh, but it is an intense, simple composition that provides a nice juxtaposition with the previous harshness.

If you like your noise extra crunchy, this is well worth checking out. It's the kind of stuff that lets your mind wander, which I enjoy considerably. Well worth picking up. This album weighs in at around 22 minutes and is limited to 42 copies.