When I sat down to listen to Chaos Is God Neighbour from City & i.o, my first thought was that this album perfectly mirrors my experience of life. The layers of ethereal melody sitting atop sounds so heavy they’re like a distant earthquake that’s forever threatening to topple my entire existence.
With sounds that range from post-hardcore to brutal electronica to ritualistic ecstatic ambient, City & i.o somehow capture the seemingly endless struggle for peace amidst crumbling chaos that characterizes human existence. Those moments when violence is at your door, sickness is in your foundation, everything you trust is approaching collapse, and all you can do is meditate on that place inside yourself where you understand why things are as they are. All of this in rippling, writhing, floating sound waves that both scare and comfort me at the same time. There’s a promise of peace in nothingness when it’s all said and done, but every part of the journey is worth the reward.
Today I want to share the singles from Chaos Is God Neighbour, including the video for their track with collaborator Dis Fig called “Unkind” and their single “Descendant Cross” with collaborator x/o. Both of these tracks are like salve on my burned soul! Their new album comes out on November 1st via Éditions Appærent and you can pre-order it here. Right now, listen to these City & i.o tracks and know you’re not alone, no matter what pain is lurking at the door to your mind.
“Unkind” Written by Dis Fig
Vocals and piano by Dis Fig
Performed and recorded by City, i.o, & Dis Fig
