Since the inception of Strange Famous Digital a couple of years ago, we’ve gotten releases from Wheelchair Sports Camp, Prolyphic, Dope Knife, and Duncan Jewett. After jumping all around the U.S., now we hop across the pond to London, where we get a new entry from London producer Aupheus called Megalith.

The first word that came to mind when listening to Megalith was “ominous.” Inspired by the sci-fi of his youth, especially the writing of Phillip K. Dick, Aupheus set out to make the soundtrack to his own dystopian vision of the future, and buddy…it is dark. Using a mix of digital and analog equipment, and mixing samples and live instrumentation, Aupheus was able to find a sound that is rooted in old-school hip hop, but then incorporates bits of industrial, house, and metal to create this really unique sound. While the majority of the album is instrumental, we do get a spattering of Strange Famous emcees making guest appearances along the way, including B. Dolan, Sage Francis, Seez Mics, and Prolyphic, who all bring the right mix of paranoia, cynicism, and sarcastic humor to the table. It provides just enough levity to the sometimes-overpowering darkness of Aupheus’s beats on the album. There is enough variety in terms of composition and rhythm to keep things interesting, and Aupheus really builds some interesting soundscapes with the way he brings together uncommon musical elements and sounds, but we never truly escape the sense of doom coming from his production, so it’s key to have these emcees come in and provide even just a little levity, even if it’s in the form of jokes about how we’re all doomed.

Aupheus has given us a unique and ambitious album for his first official go-around with Strange Famous Digital. Megalith is extremely well composed and produced, but it is not for the weak of heart.