Genre: Experimental
Label : 3XL
Reviewed: 15th September,2025
In contemporary music, the boundaries between genres are becoming increasingly fluid. Ben Bondy’s latest project, XO Salt Llif3, offers a compelling case study in this trend. Known previously for crafting ambient, grainy, and dreamlike soundscapes within the experimental electronic scene, Bondy takes a significant creative turn. His new work blends ambient textures with elements of emo, trip-hop, dembow, and even singer-songwriter sensibilities, resulting in an unpredictable and unconventional hybrid.
Bondy, who is associated with both New York and Berlin, has long been part of the underground electronic circuit, particularly through his involvement with the Kwia collective. Over the years, he has released music across labels such as West Mineral Ltd., 3XL, Motion Ward, and Quiet Time, all of which are known for fostering experimental approaches to sound. In these earlier efforts, Bondy built a reputation for producing music that felt detached, foggy, and intentionally abstract. XO Salt Llif3, however, marks a more intimate shift. While not a traditional singer-songwriter album, it approaches that territory by layering acoustic qualities with laptop-driven production.
The album title itself referencing Uzi signals Bondy’s playful intertextuality, where cultural references meet sonic experimentation. The outcome is a collection of tracks that function almost like diary entries. Each piece feels personal, not only in mood but also in its fragmented, confessional style. Instead of conforming to genre rules, the record thrives on its ambiguity, producing a hazy narrative where the listener is encouraged to interpret meaning through atmosphere rather than lyrical clarity.
From an educational perspective, XO Salt Llif3 highlights how artists can reshape conventional frameworks by merging disparate influences. It demonstrates the importance of intertextuality, experimentation, and hybridity in contemporary music, providing students of music and cultural studies with an example of how genre boundaries are continuously challenged and redefined.
