"Ghost" needs ownership

The second collaboration between German indie electronic group The Notwist and Oakland hip-hop group Themselves, “Own Your Ghost” finds many of the same sounds as the last release just with less quality. The structure of the album basically trades off on The Notwist’s more dreamy experimental indie music for the hip-hop group’s brooding and ambient rhyming.

The title of the opening track, “Its Own Sun,” speaks for itself as bridge synths, soft acoustic guitar and tropic percussion evoke feeling of summer and elation. “Own Your Ghost” next shows its darker side with a more rapid and harsher track from Themselves in “Death Major.” “Armored Scarves” calms and settles into a subtle indie rock with Notwist singer Markus Acher mellowly delivering. Atop, Doseone shows his best effort at melodic singing.

Both sides of album listen like independent works, featuring minor, subtle hints of the other groups sound — a syndrome many collaborative efforts suffer from. “Own Your Ghost” feels like two EPs from each artist compiled as a split with alternating tracks. While it’s not necessarily detrimental to the sound, it is distinctly noticable.

Overall, the album will be suited for fans of both genres of the music. Those who enjoyed the first 13 & God release should be satisfied with this album, but it may lack stand-out songs and often sounds somewhat forced.

By Tony Fowler
tlfowler@umail.iu.edu