Oneohtrix Point Never ‎– Betrayed In The Octagon (Crystal Clear Vinyl)

Oneohtrix Point Never’s Betrayed in the Octagon (2007) is a spectral debut that drifts through the outer reaches of electronic music like a forgotten transmission from a synthetic dreamworld. Released initially under the name “Magic Oneohtrix Point Never” on hand-numbered cassettes via Deception Island, the album was later reissued on vinyl by No Fun Productions and eventually folded into the expansive Rifts compilation.

Crafted using vintage gear like the Roland Juno-60 and Sequential Circuits Six-Trak, Daniel Lopatin conjures a soundscape that feels both ancient and futuristic—ambient textures, drone pulses, and minimalist sequences evoke the eerie calm of deep space or the sterile melancholy of a cryogenic chamber. Tracks like “Woe Is the Transgression II” stretch into meditative zones, while “Eyeballs” and the title track shimmer with arpeggiated synths and subtle melodic fragments that hint at emotion beneath the circuitry.

The album’s tone is resolutely introspective, often described as “haunted elegance” and “mellow new age reflection”. It’s not music that demands attention—it invites immersion, rewarding repeated listens with glimpses into Lopatin’s evolving sonic philosophy. Betrayed in the Octagon stands as the embryonic blueprint for what would become one of the most adventurous careers in experimental music.