Critics and fans continue to swoon over his debut, “Drift” (Alpha Pup), and for good reason: Nosaj Thing fuses the sounds of ambient electronic music to hip-hop and glitch rhythms and doesn’t disappoint. Comparisons to Four Tet, Boards of Canada and other genre favorites are barely apt, save for some echoing tone or uniquely juxtaposed breakbeats, and the fact that his is a must-see live act. The Nosaj Thing Visual Show is on the bill for the Sónar festival’s inaugural run in Chicago and it promises to drop some jaws. Rhythms trigger an array of visual settings that obscure and highlight the stage, enveloping the silhouette of artist and laptop, while they ultimately control the entire situation. This awesome interaction of music, light, and color can be found at the Claudia Cassidy Theater within the Chicago Cultural Center, dubbed the “SonarComplex” for the duration of the festival. (John Alex Colón)
September 10 at Chicago Cultural Center, 78 East Washington, (312)744-6630. 6pm. Free. Limited capacity.
