SYNTHETICA: Reflections on the (im)materiality of music in app-albums

Abstract

Using the app-album "Synthetica", launched in 2013 by Canadian band Metric, as a study object, this paper aims to investigate the relationship between material culture and music in cyberculture. Firstly, it brings some reflections and perspectives about the conflicts between materiality and digital culture. Secondly, it discusses the music album in a more traditional sense to highlight its similarities and differences with the app-album. Lastly, it analyzes Synthetica, anchored by thoughts on remix culture, the materiality of music and remediation. We conclude that, even in cyberspace, music possesses a material complexity, shaping new “listening protocols”in the relationship between human and non-human actants.