SNOG - Jaded

While the song ‘Jaded’ has been previously released on Snog’s “Eight Offerings For The Undead”, what hasn’t been released are the additional four remixes and bonus track that’s attached to this little EP. While praise has already been sung for the original song, I can add to that by saying it’s a quirky little piece. Snog whispers most of the vocals while ranting and raving about how horrid people are; there’s an underlying disgust and anger to his voice that builds up to a bit of a growl throughout the track. The beat is smooth and unknowing, matching the energy of Snog’s lyrical delivery. Which, to me, makes it ever starker. 

But, onto the new stuff, the remixes. The first of which comes by way of The Nam Shub of Enki. I’m not a fan of this one, which is described as a Grimecore reconfiguration. One of the primary sounds used in the remix sounds like someone stretched a rubber band and began to strum on it. Hearing it so often is annoying, though I do compliment the drum’n’bass accents throughout the track. The second of these remixes comes from Sir Real. Though the beginning synth lines make it sound like the track is about to launch into outer space, it soon dives deep down into industrial sludge. Gritty lines and a ticking, anxiety inducing sound form the basis of the song. Additional textures are added along the way including metallic drums, faded whispers, faster computer notes, and more. It’s a good remix that can be paired side-by-side with the original.

Both ‘Spaetzel Machine’ and ‘The Sweet, Sweet Treacle (Of Surrender)’ come off of 2020’s “Lullabies for the Lithium Age” and get remixes on here as well. ‘Spaetzle Machine’ contains robotic vocals and a bit of an electro-industrial kick. Fun, quirky, none too hard but none too light. ‘The Sweet, Sweet Treacle (Of Surrender)’ takes on a melancholic, dark electro form. Both moody and dance-y, like a robot’s version of a romantic ballad. Both are very well done and enjoyable. 

The last track on the EP is ‘The Theme From ‘The Great Reset’’. Originally commissioned by the Swiss-based World Economic Forum’s executive chairman Klaus Schwab for their internationalist activism, it was rejected in the end. But now sees a return here. This synth-based track sounds like something off a synthwave album, hitting all the right notes with laser-like precision. Smooth synths, like the lead up to a battle on Mars between man and the unknown, it’s cinematic and wonderful. Shame on them for rejecting it in the first place. 

“Jaded” might be a release for the most die-hard Snog fans in the world as it doesn’t really add much to the project’s discography. Sure, three of the four remixes are good, but I still prefer the original versions over those. While ‘Jaded’ is a great song, if you already bought “Eight Offerings For The Undead”, then you have it. And while ‘The Theme From ‘The Great Reset’’ is a fantastic concept piece, I wish there was more leading into an epic album filled with that brand of sound and production. Nonetheless, I do appreciate what was given here and can’t fault good music for being good. Easily a seven-and-a-half out of ten.