Single Review: The Industrial Alien Distortion of ‘Babysitter’ by TOBACCO (Ft. Trent Reznor)

TOBACCO (Ft. Trent Reznor) | Babysitter (single) | Ghostly International

Single Release: 5 August, 2020

‘Hot Wet & Sassy‘ Album Release Date: 30 October, 2020

When it comes to his moniker TOBACCO; Tom Fec, whose real identity only recently came to light – has always been known as a multi-faceted, eclectic and experimental musician and producer in the electronic music world, despite his previous phantom-like presence.

Arguably best known for fronting the fiasco of vocal processed, psychedelic electronic-pop that is Black Moth Super Rainbow; as well as contributing to various equally intriguing other musical endeavours such as Iffernaut, STV SLV, The Seven Fields of Aphelion among others, Fec’s solo work under the pseudonym TOBACCO has established a completely new and distinct style of its own.

In light of his forthcoming album as TOBACCO entitled ‘Hot Wet & Sassy’: which is scheduled to be released via Ghostly International on October 30th, the artist has released his latest single from LP ‘Babysitter’ which features industrial pioneer and all around icon Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails.

“(Babysitter) was new for me, but I wanted to write a song that was everything I am and have been, and then like one notch further. Trent was the notch further…”

‘Babysitter’ kicks off with fuzz-soaked electro / hip-hop heavy beats, concise and robust with a tinge of midnight-cloaked thrill. The opening itself foreshadows Reznor’s signature sharp, grating industrial noise. An extraterrestrial synthesizer leads into heavily processed, unnerving robotic vocal samples; the intensity of the distortion intimidating in its galactic otherworldly tension. Warbled falsetto vocals sing passionately as a candy-coated touch amongst the psychological distortion. 

Segueing into a wonderfully unexpected moment of honeyed calm, a twinkling melody glitters as gently dying stars, peppered with distant static, delicate beats and whispers. Chopped up drum rolls urge the track into action as the jarring grind of powerful distortion engulfs the atmosphere, teeming with the overwhelm of the alien textural soundscape and rough, industrial breaks.

The juxtaposition between the low, beastly processed vocals and the subsequent drive into their static-soaked, higher pitched companion lead perfectly into the glowing, shimmering harmonies – lyrical and melodious in closing – the contrast certainly makes the track a stand out when it comes to the structure of electronic music unlike anything we generally hear in the mainstream.

Rating: 8 / 10