Oïmiakon - Comptoir Des Vanites

by Maarten Schiethart

published: 1 / 2 / 2025

Label: Bruit Direct Disques
Format: LP

intro

Restless robotic twists and sweaty earache from Parisian electronic musician Oïmiakon

The name of Siberia's coldest place Oïmiakon serves as the moniker of Philémon Girouar, who records at his own Belleville Studio (which translates as ‘Great City’) in Paris his take on restless robotic twists, sweaty earache and sleazy hotspurs. Half man, half machine, Oïmiakon's vanity computer eats beats, shags ears and excretes bleeps. In a sense Oïmiakon's LP sounds like a Berlin tube derailing on eerie Parisian metro tracks. Chirping electronic bubbles on 'Extermination Centrale' invite the listener to participate in a little dance, which on the next track, 'Viande De Race' turns into a frostbitten synthesizer workout – it means ‘Breed Mea , and is as ugly-industrial as the subject matter implies. While not exactly a slaughterhouse, 'Viande De Race' Still sounds grim and grimy. Side two features more elaborated challenges, reminding one of classic industrial new wave, and splutters with more human grace. Indecency lurks around the corner on 'M.Lube'. The disturbing 'Turbo Silence' leads to the cheeky 'Magic Blue Collection', another very short piece. 'K'Pital Food' and 'Master Audition' are delivered in a more accessible fashion, but maintain a sinister sensuality. But to the ear of the seasoned techno head 'Comptoir Des Vanités' will be blasting fun.

Track Listing:-

1 Hand Free Device
2 Hygiene Premium
3 Extermination Centrale
4 Viande De Race
5 Mémoire De Forme
6 M.Lube
7 Turbo Silence
8 Magic Blue Collection
9 K'Pital Food
10 Master Audition