Ball of Wax 51 Songs: Niko Haritos – “The Collective”

I’ve known Niko Haritos for a while now as a drummer (I know he’s popped up on a Ball of Wax or two in that capacity over the years), so it’s interesting that his first contribution as a solo artist is entirely devoid of percussion – and, for the most part, rhythm. “The Collective” is a dark, humming cloud of low-end noise shot through with shimmering bursts of synthy light, and its appearance on the horizon signals a shift into a less traditionally musical section of this marathon compilation, where the shackles of rhythm and melody are thrown off and Edgard Varèse’s “organized sound” definition of music is heartily embraced. But we’re lowering you into this musical deep end gradually, floating on this dark, shimmery cloud of sound (but, you know, not that cloud of sound). Bring your headphones, and try not to forget which way is up.