Liliane Chlela - Anatomy of a Jerk
On Anatomy of a Jerk, Liliane Chlela crafts a jagged yet meticulous soundscape with tectonic shifts. The Beirut-born producer, DJ, and performer has long been a force in Lebanon’s independent electronic scene, known for her experimental live performances and improvisations. Her fifth record—and first with the Montreal-based label Infinite Machine—is a culmination of that ethos, an audacious exploration of dissonance, interruption, and sonic storytelling. The album is both challenging and rewarding, built on fragmented narratives that fold into themselves and dissolve unpredictably. Take the opening track, “Bison,” — industrial stomps and metallic stabs clash against fleeting melodic interjections. The rhythm feels intentionally unsteady, teetering between cohesion and collapse, keeping listeners off-balance yet intrigued. Tracks like “Bza2” and “Friendly Fire” amplify this sense of tension. Here, ghostly strings and shimmering synth pads float over mechanical, jittery percussion, only to be abruptly cut off or stutter into silence. These disruptions are deliberate, inviting contemplation of the anatomy of each composition—the seams that hold it together and the moments where it intentionally breaks apart. The album’s latter half leans into more cinematic and atmospheric territory. On “Third Fraud,” sweeping string progressions and cinematic drums construct a narrative arc that feels less confrontational but equally evocative. Both chaotic and calm moments converge and are not in opposition. Anatomy of a Jerk is not an easy listen. Its fractured structures and disorienting turns demand patience and close attention. I find myself still feeling my way through the dark and twisting corridors of the albums fourth track ‘Ouverture.’ Yet, for those willing to trust its sonic pathways, the rewards are immense: a collection of compositions that are intoxicating.