Zomby’s “Where were U in ‘92” album is a modern throw-back to the ecstasy fueled rave days of the early 90s. It was never my scene, or time, but this is the image I have of it. The music seems faithful in its exuberance, produced on the hardware and software of the era, full of various screams, samples, and borderline annoying sirens. It even includes the most cliched of conventions: a clip from Blade Runner.

It’s not, however, this reference to attack ships off the shoulder of Orion and the Tannhauser Gate that earns it “nerd” status. Indeed, most of the album is the antithesis of nerd, hearkening drug-riddled all night dance fests in musky warehouses. This might be far from reality, but this is how it existed in my mind. Back in 92 I was too young, and too naive, to know of, or experience, this world. That year I was too busy throwing whatever quarters I could earn, or scam, into machines of King of the Monsters, WWF Wrestlefest, and Street Fighter 2.

So it’s with this mindset that I find common ground with Zomby’s album. The last track, a cacophonous affair not entirely indicative of the preceding 13, is a “Street Fighter 2 remix” that, deep in its late-night stylings, throws out the occasional “Sonic Boom” sound clip. That is where I was in 92 and if Zomby was trying to hit the nostalgic button, it is with that that he succeeds.

Zomby - U Are My Fantasy (Street Fighter II Theme Remix)