What I Have Been Listening To: May-June 2022
Blue Dawn - Andrew Huang (2022)
First of all, let me laugh at the name of the Apple Music genre “Downtempo”. Can’t we say “Ambient”? However, this work is powerful and beautiful. In parts it is inspiring, parts haunting, and all around moving. The full track being just shy of 48 minutes, shows the scale of the generative work we have on our hands. Andrew Huang explains that this is a modular patch run through and effect chain, with melodic, rhythmic and parameter controls generated from contact mics that read the energy in plants (and other bio-electrical signals) and converts that reading to CV. Cool stuff. This is very melodic as generative music goes. It balances that line nicely between (perceived) angular random, and too repetitious. The main melodic timbre is warm and confronting in the top of the mix. There are repeated layers, with luscious delay and reverb in the back. Other harsher (probably sawtooth wave) lines create the harmonic bass. This work is inspiring for my own work and very worth a listen.
Space Boy - Ramses B
The style of this is a great crossover between synth-wave, EDM and techno. I really like it. The chip tune elements are super well put together. There is a hint of French techno style across the album that is a nice addition. The lyrics (while a little corny), are quite cute. The production is of a very high standard. Lots to like here as background dance goes. I suppose the genre term “dance” is accurate. It is fascinating to me to hear electro dance work that spans so many sub-genres. The future of dance music is crossover. This warrants future subcultural study, which unfortunately is outside of the scope of this review.
Top tracks:
Don’t need you- what a cool crossover opener. A cute little story mixed with some thoughtful production choices that fit the sonic context.
Glow- this has some great tie- in samples from the last French techno track “Lonely”. The vocal is nice and keeps interest between the main draw which are the chopped vox samples. The merge so well with the beat.
Echos- the comping Euro-synth sound in the breakdown matches perfectly with the frantic techno beat. The synth-wave aesthetic of the vocal melody is one of the better performances on the album.
A Bar About A Bar – Chance The Rapper – Single
This track is an intro to something not yet realised. The vibe is different form the usual Chance the Rapper affair. He sounds like he is empowering J Cole and Wu Tang Clan. The sampling is wilder. Short and sweet. Gorgeous. I want more.
6L – The Chats – Single
The usual setup for a Chats track. There is a deep cultural connection to Australia. The simple vamping chords are combined with a raging vocal line and riving drums (with bass). Nothing too special but powerful as simple punk goes. The chorus is anthemic and easy. Wonderful.
Macca The Mutt (Feat. Nick Cave)– Party Dozen – Single
This is something special. I like the direction this group is taking. Their more recent tracks have featured more than just saxophone and electronics. The inclusion of samples and vocals are a nice addition. The music video is emblematic of the typical experimental affair. Well put together nonsense. The out of tune guitars and disembodied vocals are reminiscent of shoegaze but with a Party Dozen twist. the 2nd section of the song slowly builds through texture addition. An alto solo is always welcome. When the fat synths and Warren Ellis inspired guitars enter, you know things will get real. The inclusion of the deity like vocal instruction from Cave at the end brings an otherworldly element to the track. It pushes it to a new height. I can’t wait to see where this band goes from here.
