The Ugly – Pr0x (2024) – Album Review

Album: The Ugly

Artist: Pr0x

Release Date: November 18, 2024

Some albums are like O-Type stars – they burn bright and fast. They hit hard, arrive with maximum intensity, and leave devastation in their wake. The Ugly by Pr0x is one of those albums. This is one of those records that is best experienced in a sweaty, strobe light drench warehouse amongst the other lost souls at 2:00 am on a Tuesday. I say that for optimum experience sake, because somewhere around Death Throes, the third track, is when the low-end detonated like a depth charge in my skull. Don’t forget to turn your bass down on your headphones before listening to this record.

The sound is dense. Charred edges. The subtle reverb gives it this lived in feeling, kind of like you’re the only person in that warehouse at 2:00 am on a school night. Pr0x sculpts rhythm with the precision of someone who knows what it means to move bodies. I had a chance to meet Pr0x at a HARDWARE show at Process and they told me their next album, Compulsory, is coming out in September, so The Ugly is a nice appetizer.

This album will appeal to those who understand the value of weight and pressure. No tricks, no gloss, just force and focus. My only complaint, is that this O-type star burns out too quickly. Put this hardgroove, deep techno album in your queue.