Sam Andrews, an 18-year-old from Georgia, has taken the internet by storm with his Instagram Reels documenting his journey through Merzbow's extensive discography. With over 400 albums to his name, Merzbow, or Masami Akita, is the world's most renowned noise artist, and Andrews is determined to listen to them all. This ambitious project is not just a stunt; it's a thought-provoking exploration of how listeners engage with challenging music in the digital age. What makes Andrews' endeavor particularly fascinating is his commitment to deep listening and his critical approach to music, which sets him apart from the typical Gen Z consumer of short-form content.
Andrews' passion for Merzbow's music stems from his love for drumming and his discovery of YouTube music critic Anthony Fantano. He began reviewing albums on Rate Your Music (RYM) and documenting his listening experience on Instagram. His favorite Merzbow album is 'Rainbow Electronics,' which he rates an 8/10 for its intentionality. However, he also highlights the album 'Merzbow Loves Emil Beaulieau' as the worst, with its 30-minute repetition of a single frequency, which was his breaking point as a listener.
What makes Andrews' approach unique is his emphasis on full albums and discographies, rather than individual songs or playlists. He values the act of sitting through an entire album, which is a rare practice in today's fast-paced digital world. This perspective is in stark contrast to the short-form content that dominates social media platforms, such as TikTok, where noise music is often used as background ambiance or for comedic effect.
Andrews' commitment to deep listening has led him to explore challenging music, such as Merzbow's, which forces listeners to think outside the box. He has been surprised by the positive responses he has received from people who don't typically engage with experimental music. His audience is primarily composed of adults in their 30s and 40s, with only 1.6% being his age. This highlights the power of deep listening to transcend age and cultural boundaries.
Andrews' journey with Merzbow is not just about listening to the music; it's about the process of discovery and the act of sitting through an entire album. He sees this as a way to improve his attention span and develop a deeper appreciation for music. In a world where quality is often conflated with popularity, Andrews' approach challenges the notion that challenging music is less valuable simply because it is less consumed.
Andrews' collaboration with Merzbow himself is a testament to the impact of his work. Despite the artist's initial removal from the post, Andrews remains in awe of Merzbow's commitment to experimentation and his unique approach to music. This collaboration highlights the potential for challenging music to connect with audiences in unexpected ways, and it raises the question of whether Merzbow's music will continue to resonate with listeners in the future.
In conclusion, Sam Andrews' journey through Merzbow's discography is a fascinating exploration of how listeners engage with challenging music. His commitment to deep listening and critical approach to music sets him apart from the typical consumer of short-form content, and his collaboration with Merzbow himself is a testament to the power of challenging music to connect with audiences in unexpected ways. As we move forward, it will be interesting to see how Merzbow's music continues to evolve and resonate with listeners, and whether Andrews' approach to deep listening will inspire others to explore challenging music in new and innovative ways.
