STM 123 - EVOL

Roc Jiménez de Cisneros and Stephen Sharp, the brilliant minds behind EVOL, are revered for their forward-thinking approach to sound, often hailed as “the artists’ artists” for their influence within the experimental music community. Since its inception in the late 1990s, EVOL has been synonymous with innovative computer-based composition, crafting what they describe as “computer music for hooligans” and “deconstructed rave objects.” Their work has been released on respected labels such as Entr'acte, Editions Mego, Presto!?, fals.ch, and their own ALKU imprint. EVOL’s body of work, which spans critically acclaimed recordings, installations, and performances, is marked by hypnotic spirals, trance-inducing patterns, and radically reimagined sound structures. They continually defy expectations, pushing the boundaries of what is possible with computer-generated sound, offering an experience that both disorients and captivates. Instead of dwelling on lengthy introductions, we encourage you to explore their soundscape firsthand—dive into the boundless world of EVOL across the internet.

Secret Thirteen Mix 123 offers a surreal auditory voyage, leading listeners beyond the constraints of reality and into the subconscious. EVOL expertly manipulates sound into intricate, pulsating structures that challenge perception and create bizarre new experiences with every listen. Each micro-fragment of sound hits unexpectedly, and the mix’s dynamic flow consistently redefines what we consider inventive and futuristic in music. It feels like an ongoing sonic experiment—each playthrough reveals new, unexpected details about the musical form, as if the sound is perpetually evolving. The mix’s fluidity and complexity draw parallels with the monumental, abstract art of Sol LeWitt. Both EVOL’s mix and LeWitt’s creations exist as autonomous works, built on advanced, algorithmic concepts that transcend traditional forms of expression, evoking a sense of otherworldly intelligence.

The mix itself is a collage of previously unreleased recordings, drawing from EVOL’s archives between 2009 and 2014. It combines studio test material, discarded edits, live performance cuts, and sonic fragments that have been masterfully stitched together using a split-channel technique. This magnetic, continuous piece was produced across two locations—Alloa in Scotland and Barcelona in Spain—creating a multi-layered, expansive listening experience.

For further insight into EVOL’s work, don’t miss our in-depth review of their recent record, Proper Headshrinker, released by Editions Mego.