(A personal favorite of mine!)
This collection starts off with "Vacant", and right off the bat, it's obvious that Zola is absolutely moving forward with the hulking atmospheres of her last album. I'm not sure when these tracks were recorded, but I wouldn't be surprised if they came from the same sessions. This atmosphere is suffocating, and when the hulking drums and Zola's haunting vocals pop in, this track gets absolutely ridiculous. I love just how intense this track is, Zola knows how to build tension so well. If you were a fan of "Okovi", and Zola's more Gothic Pop route, this is literally just more of the same. Honestly, "Vacant" easily could have made it on to "Okovi", it's that solid. Plus, those backing vocals get seriously disturbing and manic at times. Now, if you want to talk about a track that's "good enough to be on "Okovi", "Bound" goes toes to toes with the best tracks on that album. I love the grim atmosphere and the very industrial keyboards. And Zola's voice here is freaking awesome the way it pierces it all. Eventually, "Bound" does pick up into a sort of DarkWave track, and honestly, it's fucking brilliant. In a way, I'm sort of pissed now that "Okovi" didn't have maybe one or two more upbeat tunes like this. It's brilliant, haunting, and a seriously great standalone track that has no right being on a B-Sides album. Now, some of the ballads on "Okovi" were some of my least favorite tracks, especially compared to some of the more intense tunes. "Pilot Light" doesn't do too much for me either sadly. Zola does sound solid here, even though I would really love to hear some more instrumentation. Obviously, she sounds like herself. But outside of that, nothing about "Pilot Light" tells me this is a Zola Jesus track. It's decent, but I certainly get why this was left out. Now, while "Bitten Wool" once again is much more on the lighter side, at the very least there is certainly some tension here that gives this track such an unnerving feel to it. It's actually freaky, and Zola just sounds so hypnotic at the end of the day. Now, I personally wish once again that this track was maybe a little more fleshed out. But Zola pulls it together and ends up coming off truly evil in her performance. But while tracks like this are solid, I feel like they're a little incomplete, which may get on some nerves. But this is still just more decent material from the mind of Zola Jesus.
Up next, we get a few remixes to finish this compilation off. First, we get an "Ash To Bone" remix from the mind of Chromatics' Johnny Jewel. And of all of the tracks for Johnny to dive into, he chose the right one. I mean, this already sounded like something out of Twin Peaks. But with Johnny's much more shimmering production, this one is ready for The Roadhouse. In a way, I would say this actually comes off even more strange and haunting than the original version. I don't know if it's a stronger tune per say, but this is an incredibly tasteful and interesting mix. Like, this is what a Remix should be, not necessarily perfect, but a totally interesting alternate take. Johnny nailed this. Then we get a remix of "Siphon" from Katie Gately, which is much harder to place. This one has some seriously bizarre production, and of all of the remixes here, this is by far the one that hits me the least. Too much of this track is focused on wonky production as opposed to Zola. Hell, she practically doesn't even show up at all. This one just sort of comes off thrown together with only a line or two from the original track. It's tracks like this that aggravate me the most about B-Sides albums. Now, on the other hand, the “Exhumed” remix we get here is the kind of alternate take I’m dying to hear. Here, Zola teams up with Black Metal kings Wolves in the Throne Room to create an even more intense and dark version of a track that was already plenty of both of those things. I love just how hulking this track is, and how Wolves In The Throne Room have literally transformed this track completely. Once again, as for which track is “better” is up for debate and honestly not even a question. But honestly, this track packs such a punch, and I’ve wanted to hear Zola go down this route for years. If this is a sign of things to come, I’m excited. Now, this compilation ends off with a Remix Joanne Pollock did for “Soak”. And if you know me, this was one of my favorite singles of last year. But man, Joanne didn’t mess this one up at all, and I love just how she’s gone out of her way so much to make this already dreary and emotional tune even drearier and more emotional. The strings are beautiful, and while I didn’t think I would love this track without all of the intense, booming beats, this version helps Zola become more of the focus. Once again, this version of “Soak” is tasteful, and a fascinating alternate take.
Rating: 7.8/10
Give a Listen To: "Vacant", "Bound", "Exhumed (Randall Dunn and Aaron Weaver Remix)", " Soak (Joanne Pollock Remix)"
Genre: Darkwave / Gothic Pop
Overall Thoughts: This is actually an above average B-Sides and Remix Compilation. Most of these compilations nowadays, you get maybe one or two good tracks, but it's usually very clear to why these songs were left off of the album. "Okovi: Additions" however is a pleasant surprise. For the most part, the standalone tracks at the very least sound like they belonged on "Okovi", in some cases they probably would have been fantastic singles. And as far as the remixes go, you know what to expect. There aren't really any mixes here that will stop you in your tracks, BUT, the alternate versions are commendable and pleasant. If you were a fan of "Okovi", don't let this slip by.
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