Bubblegum Octopus’s album, formerly known as “8-Legged Dance Moves,” is not just a collection of songs; it’s a vibrant, deeply personal auditory experience crafted for connection and honesty. This project, available on Bandcamp, transcends typical genre boundaries, blending over-caffeinated energy with 16-bit video game aesthetics, sugargrind bursts, and moments of cloudy joypop. It’s an album that invites listeners to explore a unique soundscape, one where the concept of dance moves takes on an abstract, exhilarating form.
A Sonic Exploration: From 16-bit to Sugargrind
The album is a testament to Matthew “m@ the c@” Morden’s creative vision, developed between 2005 and 2007. It’s a melting pot of genres, defying easy categorization. Imagine the frantic energy of a sugar rush channeled through a retro video game console, then infused with moments of dreamy, melodic pop. This blend creates a listening experience that’s both chaotic and surprisingly cohesive. For fans seeking music that defies convention and encourages movement, even if that movement is just an internal head-bob or wildly flailing dance moves, this album delivers.
More Than Just Sounds: Music with Heart
What truly sets “The Album Formerly Known As ‘8-Legged Dance Moves'” apart is its deeply personal core. Morden explicitly states that these songs were created “about and for my friends.” This isn’t detached artistry; it’s music born from genuine connection and the desire to communicate. Each track, regardless of its seemingly nonsensical or silly lyrics, is rooted in real experiences and personal references. The album becomes a sonic scrapbook of friendships, a collection of inside jokes and shared moments translated into an eccentric musical language. This honesty resonates, offering listeners more than just catchy tunes, but a glimpse into the artist’s world and relationships. It’s music that moves you emotionally, perhaps even inspiring some unconventional dance moves of your own as you connect with its raw sincerity.
Humor as a Valid Art Form
Morden’s artist statement boldly proclaims, “humor does not invalidate art.” This album embodies that philosophy perfectly. It’s playful, irreverent, and doesn’t take itself too seriously, yet it’s undeniably artful and expressive. The music challenges the notion that serious art must be somber and humorless. “8-Legged Dance Moves” encourages listeners to embrace joy and silliness without sacrificing depth or meaning. This playful approach is inherently linked to the idea of dance moves – uninhibited, expressive, and often humorous bodily articulations of feeling.
The Origin of a Curious Title
The album’s former title, “8-Legged Dance Moves,” itself is a quirky piece of internet history. It references the way early listeners encountered this music – often through P2P networks where compilations of tracks, sometimes incomplete and mislabeled, circulated under that name. This backstory adds another layer to the album’s identity, highlighting its organic, grassroots journey from personal project to shared online experience. It’s a nod to the unpredictable nature of internet culture and how music can take on a life of its own in the digital realm, inspiring interpretations and even imagined dance moves based on fragmented information.
Experience the Movement
“The Album Formerly Known As ‘8-Legged Dance Moves'” is more than just an album; it’s an invitation to experience music in a different way. It’s chaotic, heartfelt, and utterly unique. Whether you’re looking for unconventional electronic sounds, a glimpse into honest artistic expression, or simply something to spark your own imaginative dance moves, this album is worth exploring. Discover the world of Bubblegum Octopus on Bandcamp and let the music move you.
