“The body. The-body-the-body-the-body…”
-Lauren Beukes, Broken Monsters
Nicholas Zhu is bod [包家巷]. Their musical output this year has burgeoned, finding a place for their meta-MIDI modulations on Planet Mu sub-label KNIVES with the Limpid Fear [清澈恐惧] EP in August. Now, from futuristic cutting room floors, they’ve turned their daring approach towards the body with a new record titled The Recurrence Of Infections [复发感染] — out on December 7 on Aïsha Devi’s Danse Noire imprint.
This new and distinctly [bod]ily record, featuring remixes from Flora Yin-Wong and M.D. James, draws its name from a series of health issues Zhu experienced while living in their home-base of Los Angeles. Below, you can stream a stringy excerpt of its corporeal sound.
The body distinction is express for Zhu. As a visual artist as well as a musician, their expressions on the relationship between artistic output and body sustainability under the mortal violences of capitalism are well-documented. From Zhu: “I put my studio practice on hold specifically to work on music (for efficacy, music allows me to engage with people in a way that art can’t) knowing that meaning doesn’t translate, even when literally transcribed.”
Danse Noire has previously hosted similar work from Devi herself, as well as Meuko! Meuko! and Réelle. You can pre-order The Recurrence Of Infections [复发感染] right here — in the mortal realm! — right now. It will come with additional sound and video supplements that “are components of the larger, continuous work that is living.”
The Recurrence Of Infections [复发感染] tracklisting:
01. The Recurrence of Infections [复发感染]
02. Infection Supplement [感染补充]
03. The Recurrence of Infections (Flora Yin-Wong Remix)
04. The Recurrence of Infections (M.D. James Remix)